Definition

The way in which a person's voice rises and falls in pitch while speaking, which can convey different meanings or emotions.

Example

The teacher emphasized the importance of intonation in spoken language to help students understand the meaning behind the words.

Conversation

Did you notice her intonation when she was speaking?

Yeah, it really added emotion to her words.

I think using different intonation can change the meaning completely.

Absolutely! It’s amazing how much tone can affect understanding.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Intonation is formed from "in-" (meaning into) and "tonare" (meaning to sound or to tone). The word refers to the rise and fall of the voice in speaking, essentially how one sounds when speaking.

Memory Tip

Think of 'sounding' ('tonare') 'into' ('in-') a sentence — that's how intonation affects the way we speak.

Visually Confused Words