1
: a spirited and usually cheerful song or tune
2
: a rhythmical swing, flow, or cadence
3
: a springy buoyant movement
lilted; lilting; lilts
: to sing or play in a lively cheerful manner
1
: to sing or speak rhythmically and with fluctuating pitch
2
: to move in a lively springy manner
Examples of lilt in a Sentence
Noun
There was a charming lilt to her voice.
a tune with a lilt
Recent Examples on the Web
Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
There are other ways to spot deepfakes, though, like asking a person on a livestream to turn sideways or listening for an off-sounding lilt in someone's voice.
—Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 17 Oct. 2024
Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2024
Argentines joking around in lilting Spanish and Australians with their distinctive garrulous accent.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for lilt 
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Noun
On each and particularly the McEntire cover, Frantz is in full control of her vocal instrument, wielding each vocal lilt and swoop and maximizing each moment of heartache.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
There are other ways to spot deepfakes, though, like asking a person on a livestream to turn sideways or listening for an off-sounding lilt in someone's voice.
—Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 17 Oct. 2024
Verb
Waltzing along the fine line between preciousness and profundity, Brion’s lilting piano theme perfectly echoes the tone of a beguiling romance that — by design — struggles to find a balance in its feelings.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2024
Argentines joking around in lilting Spanish and Australians with their distinctive garrulous accent.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for lilt
Dictionary Entries Near lilt
Cite this Entry
“Lilt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lilt. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lilt
2 of 2 noun
: a lively and cheerful sound or expression
a tune with a lilt
a lilt in her voice
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