lilt

1 of 2

noun

ˈlilt 

1

: a spirited and usually cheerful song or tune

2

: a rhythmical swing, flow, or cadence

3

: a springy buoyant movement

lilt

2 of 2

verb

lilted; lilting; lilts

transitive verb

: to sing or play in a lively cheerful manner

intransitive verb

1

: to sing or speak rhythmically and with fluctuating pitch

2

: to move in a lively springy manner

Examples of lilt in a Sentence

Noun

There was a charming lilt to her voice.

a tune with a lilt

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The sophisticated parsing of law and finance, the hard-nosed practicality of retail politics, and the workaday lilt of person-in-the-street interviews converge on the soundtrack and are reflected in images that are modestly but candidly communicative—uninflected but humming with passion. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2025

The tinkering percussion is no match for her lyrical display, delivered with the sarcastic lilt of Slick Rick and impressive meter. 66. —Steven J. Horowitz, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025

Verb

This region is vast and diverse, with as many variations on our signature lilt as there are preparations of barbecue. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 14 Jan. 2025

Platt has assembled key creatives from his own Oscar-winning La La Land including songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who have provided some lively and lilting new tunes. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English lulten to sound an alarm

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1722, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for lilt

• built
• gilt
• guilt
• hilt
• kilt
• milt
• quilt
• silt
• spilt
• stilt
• tilt
• wilt

Kids Definition

lilt

1 of 2 verb

ˈlilt 

: to sing or play in a lively cheerful manner

liltingly

ˈlil-tiŋ-lē

adverb

lilt

2 of 2 noun

: a lively and cheerful sound or expression

a tune with a lilt

a lilt in her voice