intonation

Everyday

1. The rise and fall of your voice when you speak, which can change the meaning: a question often goes up at the end. tree →
2. (music) Singing or playing exactly in tune. tree →

In the lessons

In English and language lessons (reading aloud with expression, questions, sarcasm), French and Mandarin lessons, and music. Phrases: rising intonation, falling intonation, good intonation.

Examples

• Use rising intonation when you ask a yes-no question. tree →
• Her intonation showed she was joking. tree →
• Reading aloud with good intonation makes a story come alive. tree →
• The violinist worked on her intonation. tree →
• In some Australian and New Zealand speech, statements end with a rising intonation. tree →
• Intonation can turn Really. into Really? tree →
• No explanation could convey an adequate idea of the intonation and pronunciation which Uncle Remus brought to bear upon this wonderful word. tree →

Note

Not the same as tone in Mandarin: tones change the meaning of single words; intonation is the tune of a whole sentence. Uncountable usually.