Language Sounds

noun a quavering or vibratory sound, especially a rapid alternation of sung or played notes

verb to produce a quavering or warbling sound

• The bird's trill could be heard throughout the forest.
• I love it when you trill that high note in the song.
• She trilled her excitement when she found out the news.
• His laughter had a trill to it that was infectious.

noun a speech sound produced by a sudden release of air after a stop consonant, as in the sound of the 'ch' in the German word 'ach'

• The pronunciation of the 'ch' in German words like 'Bach' involves an ach-laut sound.
• I always struggle with the ach-laut in German words, it's so different from English.
• I can never get the ach-laut right, it always comes out sounding weird.
• The ach-laut in her speech added a touch of sophistication to her accent.