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

When Odom, with his buttery intonation and supple phrasing, performs “A Change Is Gonna Come,” he’s not so much impersonating Cooke as channeling him.

From Time

At a recent Zoom practice session, she offered comments on the wording of their speeches, the intonations, the gestures.

From Time

At intervening moments, the engaging Kwong announces in the intonations of a game show host, “It’s puzzle time!”

From Washington Post

Wheeler’s job was to re-record each snippet in his own voice, matching the exact rhythm and intonation.

From MIT Technology Review

In addition to the intonation changes, Alexa will now take turns speaking like a conversation.

From Popular-Science

Black English is also intonation, which is a powerful rhetorical tool.

From The Daily Beast

With nine tones, each sound pronounced in a different intonation changes its meaning.

From The Daily Beast

Wardrobe, mannerisms, and intonation are fair game, and Chu certainly has his detractors there.

From The Daily Beast

You can say it on the radio because you have the voice and the intonation, but that is totally different in print.

From The Daily Beast

North Dormer took the Mountain for granted, and implied its disparagement by an intonation rather than by explicit criticism.

From Project Gutenberg

But in all these instances it is the intonation of the word as such, not of the sentence, which is primarily concerned.

From Project Gutenberg

"I haven't eaten anything for twenty-four hours," he said, with a whistling intonation.

From Project Gutenberg

As for Susanna's own accent, she comes from the heart of Aberdeenshire, and her intonation is beyond my power to reproduce.

From Project Gutenberg

Dan had given to his last words a weird, mournful intonation whose effect was startling.

From Project Gutenberg