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

For a review of Julia Fischer (violin) and Jan Lisiecki (piano) in recital, go here. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 18 Apr. 2025

The violin was taken about 9 p.m. April 11 at the Clark and Lake station. —Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2025

The violin was recovered in an encampment near West 31st Street and Main Street, not far from USC. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025

Made of pinewood, bird’s-eye maple and plain-cut sycamore, the violin is almost certainly the work of a Scottish luthier, Reid said. —Corinna Da Fonseca-Wollheim, New York Times, 4 Apr. 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