lilt

noun \ ˈlilt \

|Updated on: 4 Aug 2018

Examples: lilt in a Sentence

Definition of lilt

1 : a spirited and usually cheerful song or tune

2 : a rhythmical swing, flow, or cadence

3 : a springy buoyant movement

See lilt defined for English-language learners

Examples of lilt in a Sentence

There was a charming lilt to her voice.
a tune with a lilt

Recent Examples of lilt from the Web

Chance the Rapper and Kanye West may use gospel elements to give their music a reverent lilt, but the genre hasn’t had many crossover evangelists since Kirk Franklin’s hip-hop bombast brought it to the pop charts in the 1990s.

— New York Times, "15 Pop, Rock and Jazz Concerts to Check Out in N.Y.C. This Weekend," 7 June 2018
Her rendition is slow and meandering, with lilts that lift the melody and then drop it again into quietness.

— alissa wilkinson, Vox, "What two fictional Gileads can teach us about America in 2018," 12 July 2018
For example, Markle’s vowels might still sound American, but the lilt of the sentence might be less so.

— cari romm, The Cut, "Linguists Explain Meghan Markle’s Apparent New British Accent," 10 July 2018
And Adam Cork’s music is full of the blarney of Celtic lilt.

— ben brantley, New York Times, "Orlando Bloom and Aidan Turner Are Drenched in Blood in London," 4 July 2018
You’ll be filled by the generous portions, but make room for the wonderful Gigi’s Cream Corn Soufflé ($6), which recalled Indian pudding with a Caribbean lilt.

— stephanie schorow, BostonGlobe.com, "Spice up your palate with Haitian delights," 8 June 2018
The track has a bossa nova swing, but Reinhart's vocals — showcased on season 10 of American Idol — have the lilt of low-fi pop.

— rebecca farley, refinery29.com, "Haley Reinhart's "Last Kiss Goodbye" Has All Of Your Favorite Things," 31 May 2018
The voice is unmistakable: an Irish lilt softened over decades of living here in America, resulting in an accent that is entirely Brosnan's own.

— drew magary, GQ, "Pierce Brosnan Has Found Beauty and Inspiration During Our Helltimes," 16 May 2018
No, because Lowe’s onstage stories about the former president were charming and only slightly edgy, delivered with a dead-on Arkansas lilt that’s more respectful than buffoonish.

— adrienne wichard-edds, The Hollywood Reporter, "Rob Lowe Welcomes Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Sean Spicer Backstage at His One-Man Show," 15 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lilt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of lilt

circa 1680

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, refrain, riff, segue

lilt

verb

Definition of lilt

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

See lilt defined for kids

Recent Examples of lilt from the Web

Dave Bean Special to The Star Crystal Rose played lilting chamber-pop on the rooftop patio of Messenger Coffee.

— bill brownlee, kansascity, "Built to Spill, Social Distortion fittingly end great music day at Middle of the Map," 1 July 2018
Michael David Winery 2016 Lodi Chardonnay ($16): Here’s a chardonnay so fruity and lilting it invites gulping, but don’t.

— mike dunne, sacbee, "This year's best local wine you can (mostly) get for under $20," 20 June 2018
With his insatiable interest in pop culture, lilting accent and personality that's equal parts innocence and ignorance, Hank offers energetic comic relief in an increasingly dark comedy.

— bill keveney, USA TODAY, "You should know Anthony Carrigan, 'Gotham' villain turned Bill Hader's 'Barry' foil," 26 Apr. 2018
On the album, Mr. Sosa ornaments the space around Mr. Keita’s playing with lilting undercurrents and deftly studded terrain.

— New York Times, "13 Pop, Rock and Jazz Concerts to Check Out in NYC This Weekend," 15 Mar. 2018
On some days inside that glitzy office, the soundtrack to his view is Spotify, lilting Grateful Dead music.

— dana benbow, Indianapolis Star, "Steve Simon: Deadhead, tree hugger, extremely private business whiz, Pacers heir," 4 Jan. 2018
The most graceful representative of the grape among the California bottles was the Castelli Vineyards 2012 Green Valley of Russian River Valley Nebbiolo ($34), notable for its welcoming fragrance and complex yet lilting red-fruit flavors.

— mike dunne, sacbee, "Nebbiolo, the wine equivalent of winter’s woodpile," 16 Jan. 2018
The film’s lilting score by Marcelo Zarvos (Fences, Brooklyn’s Finest) underscores the magic and childhood wonder in Pullman’s life.

— melinda newman, Billboard, "Go Behind The Scenes of Marcelo Zarvos' Score for Julia Roberts' New Film 'Wonder': Exclusive," 17 Nov. 2017
With her long blonde hair, lilting soprano and acoustic guitar, the enduring image of the singer-songwriter icon is one that dates back to the late ‘60s or early ‘70s.

— maeve mcdermott, USA TODAY, "Joni Mitchell biography 'Reckless Daughter' looks at icon's thorny life from both sides," 27 Oct. 2017

Origin and Etymology of lilt

Middle English lulten to sound an alarm

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1722

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

LILT Defined for English Language Learners

lilt

noun

Definition of lilt for English Language Learners

: the attractive quality of speech or music that rises and falls in a pleasing pattern

LILT Defined for Kids

lilt

verb \ ˈlilt \

Definition of lilt for Students

lilted; lilting

: to sing or play in a lively cheerful manner

Learn More about lilt

See words that rhyme with lilt Spanish Central: Translation of lilt Nglish: Translation of lilt for Spanish speakers

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lilt

Definition of lilt

Examples of lilt in a Sentence

Recent Examples of lilt from the Web

First Known Use of lilt

Other Music Terms

lilt

Definition of lilt

Recent Examples of lilt from the Web

Origin and Etymology of lilt

LILT Defined for English Language Learners

lilt

Definition of lilt for English Language Learners

LILT Defined for Kids

lilt

Definition of lilt for Students

Learn More about lilt

Seen and Heard

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