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

The second violins introduce the second movement with a soft, lilting quality, creating music that’s elegant and musically complex. —Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2025

The video teaser Chrli shared features eerie, horror film–like sound effects and the haunting sound of violins as Charli is pinned down by an elderly hand while staring directly into the camera. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2025

Music will include works by Takemitsu, Miller, McIntosh and Von Schweinitz, performed by McIntosh on violin, Vicki Ray on piano and Matt Kline on double bass. —La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025

The sisters established their band SistaStrings in Milwaukee in 2014, with Chauntee on violin and Monique on cello, before moving to Nashville in 2020 and joining Carlile's touring band in 2022. —Piet Levy, jsonline.com, 3 Nov. 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