How to pronounce violin
Say it like vy-uh-LIN. Violin has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LIN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce violin. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- vy
- uh
- LIN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Violin pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- vyKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LINSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of violin
American and British speakers say violin in essentially the same way: /vaɪəˈlɪn/ in the US and /vaɪəˈlɪn/ in the UK.
British respelling: vy-uh-LIN.
What does violin mean?
- bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow
Where does violin come from?
Derived from Italian violino (“little viola”), from viola + -ino.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with violin
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of violin.
Questions about saying violin
How do you pronounce violin?
Say vy-uh-LIN. The American pronunciation is /vaɪəˈlɪn/. In British English it is /vaɪəˈlɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in violin?
Violin has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LIN). Broken into parts: vy · uh · LIN.
Do Americans and Brits say violin the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /vaɪəˈlɪn/ and the British form is /vaɪəˈlɪn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.