intonation
UK: ˌɪntəˈneɪʃən | US: ˌɪntəˈneɪʃən
n. the rise and fall of the voice in speaking, especially as this affects the meaning of what is being said
n. the manner of singing or playing musical notes with respect to pitch accuracy
intonation = in<into> + ton<tone> + ation<noun suffix>
- in (Latin in-, "into") → Indicates direction or focus.
- ton (Latin tonus, from Greek tonos, "tone, tension") → Refers to pitch or sound quality.
- ation (Latin -atio, noun-forming suffix) → Denotes an action or result.
Etymology Origin:
The word intonation traces back to Latin intonare ("to thunder, resound"), combining in- (into) and tonare (to thunder). Over time, it shifted from literal sound projection to the nuanced modulation of voice pitch in speech and music. The morpheme ton preserves its Greek root tonos, reflecting the ancient link between tension (e.g., vocal cords) and pitch.
Her intonation made the question sound sarcastic.
The singer’s flawless intonation impressed the audience.
English learners often struggle with the intonation of questions.
The violin’s intonation was slightly off during the performance.
Pay attention to your intonation to convey the right emotion.