Intonation

B2 16+

Pronunciation: /ˌɪn.toʊˈneɪ.ʃən/

Definitions of intonation

noun the rise and fall of the voice in speaking

Example Sentences

A1 She spoke with a cheerful intonation.

A2 The teacher used a clear intonation to help students understand the meaning.

B1 His intonation indicated that he was unsure about the answer.

B2 The actor's intonation added depth to his performance.

C1 The singer's flawless intonation captivated the audience.

C2 Linguists study intonation patterns to better understand language variation.

adjective related to the manner in which intonation is used in speech

Example Sentences

A1 She spoke with a clear intonation so that everyone could understand her.

A2 The teacher used exaggerated intonation to help students grasp the meaning of the words.

B1 His intonation was a bit flat, making it hard to tell if he was happy or sad.

B2 The actor's intonation was so convincing that it brought the character to life.

C1 The singer's intonation was flawless, hitting every note with precision and emotion.

C2 The politician's intonation was carefully calculated to convey authority and confidence.

Examples of intonation in a Sentence

formal His intonation during the presentation was clear and authoritative.

informal I could tell by her intonation that she was not happy with the situation.

slang The way he changed his intonation made it seem like he was being sarcastic.

figurative The intonation of the music rose and fell like waves crashing on the shore.

Grammatical Forms of intonation

past tense

intonated

plural

intonations

comparative

more intonated

superlative

most intonated

present tense

intonates

future tense

will intonate

perfect tense

have intonated

continuous tense

is intonating

singular

intonation

positive degree

intonated

infinitive

to intonate

gerund

intonating

participle

intonating

Origin and Evolution of intonation

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'intonation' originated from the Latin word 'intonare', which means to sing or chant.
Evolution of the word: Originally used in the context of music to refer to the rise and fall of pitch in vocal or instrumental music, the term 'intonation' later evolved to also describe the rise and fall of pitch in spoken language, particularly in the context of emphasis or emotion.