violin

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

violinist

2 of 2

noun (2)

vi·​o·​lin·​ist ˌvīəˈlinə̇st sometimes ˈvīəˌlin- or -ələ̇n- 

plural -s

: one who plays the violin

Examples of violin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The violins dig into the first three notes of a rising theme — only to tumble suddenly into a hushed dance, which Mahler marks grazioso. — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

The passionate sweep of a violin bow, propelled by the strum of guitar and a synth-pop beat. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Documentaries then were about little violin players in Vienna — a bit slow. — Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

Her only work, earlier in the day, had been to adjust the bridge of an old violin. — Lydia Davis, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

Italian violinista, from violino violin + -ista -ist

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1576, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for violin

• akin
• auxin
• buckskin
• chagrin
• crankpin
• deerskin
• foreskin
• fuchsin
• herein
• kingpin
• linchpin
• pigskin

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