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

The free concert features Hindu classical vocalists Riddhi and Siddhi Bhavsar, Tristan Zion on cello, Rachael Lee on flute and Riley Danielson on violin. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025

The delicate violins of the airport soundtrack suddenly resonated like an orchestra over the hum of the baggage claim's conveyor belts. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024

Before her kidnapping, Berger's passions were playing the violin. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2025

Maloney was born in 1981 hailing from Traverse City, Mich. and grew up playing the cello, guitar, violin, and drums. —Marina Watts, People.com, 29 Jan. 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

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