TRILL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does trill mean? 

• TRILL (noun)
  The noun TRILL has 2 senses:

1. a note that alternates rapidly with another note a semitone above it

2. the articulation of a consonant (especially the consonant 'r') with a rapid flutter of the tongue against the palate or uvula

  Familiarity information: TRILL used as a noun is rare.

• TRILL (verb)
  The verb TRILL has 2 senses:

1. pronounce with a trill, of the phoneme 'r'

2. sing or play with trills, alternating with the half note above or below

  Familiarity information: TRILL used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TRILL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A note that alternates rapidly with another note a semitone above it

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

shake; trill

Hypernyms ("trill" is a kind of...):

musical note; note; tone (a notation representing the pitch and duration of a musical sound)

Derivation:

trill (sing or play with trills, alternating with the half note above or below)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The articulation of a consonant (especially the consonant 'r') with a rapid flutter of the tongue against the palate or uvula

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Context example:

he pronounced his R's with a distinct trill

Hypernyms ("trill" is a kind of...):

articulation (the aspect of pronunciation that involves bringing articulatory organs together so as to shape the sounds of speech)

• TRILL (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they trill    ... he / she / it trills   
Past simple: trilled   
Past participle: trilled   
-ing form: trilling   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Pronounce with a trill, of the phoneme 'r'

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Context example:

Some speakers trill their r's

Hypernyms (to "trill" is one way to...):

articulate; enounce; enunciate; pronounce; say; sound out (speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

Sing or play with trills, alternating with the half note above or below

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

quaver; trill; warble

Hypernyms (to "trill" is one way to...):

sing (produce tones with the voice)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something

Sentence examples:

The birds trill in the woods
The woods trill with many kinds of birds

Derivation:

trill (a note that alternates rapidly with another note a semitone above it)

 Context examples 

“Her father!” cried the tire-woman, with a little trill of laughter.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The ‘honey-hunting call’ made by honey-hunters, and passed from generation to generation, is a loud trill followed by a short grunt: ‘brrr-hm’.

(How humans and wild Honeyguide birds call each other to help, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)