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 4½ 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

Aura pulled out a violin while Simmons warmed up on the piano. —Ava Berger, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026

Concertmaster Erin Keefe’s violin playing acted as the voice of Scheherazade in the work, weaving a tale with life-or-death urgency. —Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026

Both works, with aptly tangy orchestrations, got splendid performances, with particularly fine solos from principals Alexander Kerr (violin), Gregory Raden (clarinet) and James Romeo (piccolo). —Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026

Last year, the band — William Ryan Key (vocals/guitar), Sean Mackin (violin), Ryan Mendez (guitar) and Josh Portman (bass) — dropped their 11th studio album Better Days. —Annie Harrigan, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2026

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