violin

noun

vi·​o·​lin ˌvī-ə-ˈlin 

: a bowed stringed instrument having four strings tuned at intervals of a fifth and a usual range from G below middle C upward for more than 4¹/₂ octaves and having a shallow body, shoulders at right angles to the neck, a fingerboard without frets, and a curved bridge

violinist

ˌvī-ə-ˈli-nist 

noun

violinistic

ˌvī-ə-lə-ˈni-stik 

adjective

Illustration of violin

• 1 bridge
• 2 sound hole
• 3 soundboard
• 4 fingerboard
• 5 pegs
• 6 scroll
• 7 tailpiece
• g G-string
• d D-string
• a A-string
• e E-string

Examples of violin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As the narrator grappled with her inner turmoil, the music, a violin especially, teetered between elegant (in this context, denial) and anxious, sour notes that signaled an undeniable realization of an unpleasant truth. —Piet Levy, jsonline.com, 29 July 2025

Volunteers demonstrated a variety of instruments, including violins, cellos, guitars, xylophones, drums, keyboards, violins and bells. —Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 22 July 2025

In February, Sotheby’s sold a violin crafted by Antonio Stradivarius in 1714 for $11,250,000. —Thomas H. Ruggie, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025

Kim started on piano but eventually branched out to violin. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian violino, from viola "viola, viol" + -ino, diminutive suffix, going back to Latin -īnus -ine entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for violin

• aneurin
• crystallin
• eosin
• mandolin
• porphyrin
• underpin
• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• deerskin
• foreskin

Kids Definition

violin

noun

vi·​o·​lin ˌvī-ə-ˈlin 

1

: a stringed musical instrument with four strings that is usually held against the shoulder under the chin and played with a bow

2

: violinist