intonation

[ in-toh-ney-shuhn, -tuh- ]

noun

1. the pattern or melody of pitch changes in connected speech, especially the pitch pattern of a sentence, which distinguishes kinds of sentences or speakers of different language cultures.
2. the act or manner of intonating.
3. the manner of producing musical tones, specifically the relation in pitch of tones to their key or harmony.
4. something that is intoned or chanted.
5. the opening phrase in a Gregorian chant, usually sung by one or two voices.

intonation

/ ˌɪntəʊˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the sound pattern of phrases and sentences produced by pitch variation in the voice
2. the act or manner of intoning
3. an intoned, chanted, or monotonous utterance; incantation
4. music the opening of a piece of plainsong, sung by a soloist
5. music
   1. the correct or accurate pitching of intervals
   2. the capacity to play or sing in tune See also just intonation

Derived Forms

• ˌintoˈnational, adjective

Other Words From

• into·nation·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intonation¹

First recorded in 1610–20, intonation is from the Medieval Latin word intonātiōn- (stem of intonātiō ). See intonate, -ion

Example Sentences

“Yo soy Emilia Pérez,” she says over and over again, modulating her intonation ever so slightly.

From Los Angeles Times

So every weekend we had a Zoom and taught her the rhythm, intonation, subtext.

From Los Angeles Times

“Our Peacock Product and Data Science teams further optimize how the voice sounds to make it as close as possible to Al Michaels’ by adjusting different variables: the breathing, the tone, speed and intonation,” said Jelley.

From Slate

Melodic intonation therapy, for instance, is a promising approach to train people with aphasia to sing what they want to say, using their intact "musical mechanisms" to bypass damaged speech mechanisms.

From Science Daily

But Palumbo, one of opera’s most mild-mannered yet most unrelenting perfectionists, was still making sure that the singers’ intonation was flawless, still fine-tuning the placement of the first note in a certain phrase.

From New York Times