1
: characterized by a rhythmical swing or cadence
a lilting stride
liltingness
noun
Examples of lilting in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The track’s lilting melody leads the camera to a final shot of the piano playing without him — mirroring his notes as well as the intense feeling that comes with them.
—
Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 7 Sep. 2023
Mitalipov, who was born in Kazakhstan, is a small, dark-haired man with a lilting accent.
—Dana Goodyear, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2023
Faith’s lilting, summery vocals soothe her bone-deep observations, in a convergence of country, pop and Americana elements that’s uniquely her own.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 5 Sep. 2023
This adorable tale centered around Dia de los Muertos is accompanied by gorgeous graphics and lilting musical numbers the whole family will love.
—Christin Perry, Parents, 22 Aug. 2023
It was delivered in a largely acoustic format that suited Stewart’s lilting delivery well.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2023
Mering travels and croons throughout the six-minute clip, intoning the song’s lilting melodies as a lamp-like cardiac organ shines out from her chest.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2023
McAloon has called it his most personal record—and yet, unlike previous Prefab Sprout albums, McAloon’s soft, lilting voice is barely there.
—Hazlitt, 2 Aug. 2023
Anne Egerman stood upstage, flitting through Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics in her lilting soprano.
—Lila Battis, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2023
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Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 7 Sep. 2023
Mitalipov, who was born in Kazakhstan, is a small, dark-haired man with a lilting accent.
—Dana Goodyear, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2023
Faith’s lilting, summery vocals soothe her bone-deep observations, in a convergence of country, pop and Americana elements that’s uniquely her own.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 5 Sep. 2023
This adorable tale centered around Dia de los Muertos is accompanied by gorgeous graphics and lilting musical numbers the whole family will love.
—Christin Perry, Parents, 22 Aug. 2023
It was delivered in a largely acoustic format that suited Stewart’s lilting delivery well.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2023
Mering travels and croons throughout the six-minute clip, intoning the song’s lilting melodies as a lamp-like cardiac organ shines out from her chest.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2023
McAloon has called it his most personal record—and yet, unlike previous Prefab Sprout albums, McAloon’s soft, lilting voice is barely there.
—Hazlitt, 2 Aug. 2023
Anne Egerman stood upstage, flitting through Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics in her lilting soprano.
—Lila Battis, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lilting.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near lilting
Cite this Entry
“Lilting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lilting. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.
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