Intonate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🎵

Add to dictionary

intonate

[ˈɪntəneɪt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

speech

To change the pitch or tone of one's voice while speaking, especially to convey meaning or emotion. It is an important aspect of effective communication.

Synonyms

accentuate, emphasize, stress.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
intonate	Used in music or speech when describing the modulation or variation in pitch. The singer needs to intonate correctly to hit all the right notes. Teachers often intonate their speech to keep students' attention.
emphasize	Commonly used in both speech and writing to show the importance or significance of something. In his speech, he emphasized the need for healthcare reform. The teacher emphasized the importance of doing homework.
stress	Used to highlight something as important or critical; can also mean to exert pressure or experience anxiety. He stressed the importance of arriving on time. Don't stress too much about the exam.
accentuate	Often used to highlight or make something more noticeable or prominent. The lighting was used to accentuate the features of the sculpture. She wore a belt to accentuate her waistline.

Examples of usage

She intonated her words to express her excitement.
The professor intonated his lecture to keep the students engaged.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

music

To sing or play music with variations in pitch. It adds depth and emotion to the performance.

Synonyms

inflect, modulate, vary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
intonate	Typically used in musical or vocal settings to describe the act of singing or speaking in a harmonious pitch or tone. She intonated the hymn beautifully during the choir performance. The actor intonated his lines with great emotion.
modulate	Often used in both musical and non-musical contexts to talk about changing the pitch or tone to achieve a different effect or to adapt to a situation. Sometimes, it's used figuratively to mean adjusting one's attitude or manner. The singer modulated her voice to reach the high notes seamlessly. He had to modulate his speech to keep the audience engaged.
inflect	Used to describe the change in the form of a word (especially in grammar) to express different grammatical categories such as tense, mood, voice, aspect, person, number, gender, and case. In Latin, verbs are heavily inflected to indicate tense and mood. The teacher explained how to inflect verbs in different tenses.
vary	Commonly used in a wide range of settings to describe making changes or introducing differences. It has a broad application from everyday activities to technical descriptions. She likes to vary her workouts to avoid getting bored. The chef recommended varying the ingredients for a more interesting dish.

Examples of usage

The singer intonated the song beautifully.
The violinist intonated the piece with passion.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Linguistics

Intonation is crucial in different languages to convey meaning – in English, it can indicate a question or a statement.
Rising intonation often signals uncertainty or a question, while falling intonation indicates certainty or completion.
In reading poetry, intonation helps express the emotions and rhythms of the piece.

Music

Intonation can also refer to how well instruments are tuned; musicians strive for perfect intonation for harmonious music.
Vocalists use intonation to deliver emotional depth in performances, which affects audience engagement.
Different musical styles have unique intonation patterns, influencing how songs are interpreted.

Psychology

Research shows that intonation can affect perceptions of trustworthiness and authority in speech.
Listeners often make judgments about a speaker's mood or confidence based on their vocal intonation.
Effective intonation can enhance social interactions and improve communication.

Theatre and Performance

Actors use intonation to convey characters’ emotions and intentions during performances.
Shakespearean acting emphasizes intonation to bring the text alive and engage the audience.
Public speakers employ intonation strategically to emphasize key points and keep the audience's attention.

Origin of 'intonate'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'intonare', which means 'to sound' or 'to utter'.
It combines 'in' (into) with 'tonare' (to thunder), hinting at the idea of creating sound.
Related words include 'intonation', which refers to the rise and fall in the pitch of voices.

The word 'intonate' comes from the Latin word 'intonare', which means 'to sing'. It has been used in English since the early 17th century. Originally, it was mainly associated with music and singing, but over time, its meaning has expanded to include variations in pitch in speech as well.