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

Meng sold three of the violins and the violin bow for $44,700, prosecutors said. —City News Service, Orange County Register, 17 Sep. 2024

Unique instrumentation included a baritone violin, electric cello, and primitive horns that help recall ancient Rome. —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2024

Guitar, piano, flute, lute, violin, sax, orchestra, rock band, a cappella. —Sigrid Nunez, The New Yorker, 1 Sep. 2024

On the second section, Ellis ditches his violin for piano while ghostly atmospherics hint heavily at his recent work with Cave. —David Harris, SPIN, 5 July 2024

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

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