lilting

1 of 2

adjective

lilt·​ing ˈlil-tiŋ 

1

: characterized by a rhythmical swing or cadence

a lilting stride

2

: cheerful, buoyant

a lilting comedy

liltingly

ˈlil-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

liltingness noun

lilting

2 of 2

present participle of lilt entry 2

Examples of lilting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Toward the end, the tropical bolero suddenly morphs into a lilting bossa nova segment — almost as if the record itself chose to embrace the power of beauty over chaos and satire. — Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2026

His voice, captured on an iPhone microphone, is strikingly deep, a rumble beneath McDoom’s sweetly lilting delivery. — Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2026

The service From the lilting sawatdeekas to the wai greetings at every turn—the service here is textbook Thai. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

Her honeyed vocals are a powerful pairing for this track’s lilting, contemplative production. — Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lilting

• quilting
• silting
• tilting
• wilting