Definition

1. Noun:
   • A bowed stringed instrument: The violin is the highest-pitched member of the violin family. It has four strings, a hollow wooden body, an unfretted fingerboard, and is played by drawing a bow across the strings or by plucking them.

Usage

• The violin is a central instrument in orchestras, chamber music, and many folk music traditions.
• It is held under the chin and supported by the shoulder.
• A person who plays the violin is called a violinist.

Examples

• Noun:
  • She practices the violin for two hours every day.
  • The solo violin melody was beautiful and haunting.
  • He has played first violin in the orchestra for a decade.

Advanced Usage

• "To face the music": While not exclusive to the violin, this idiom meaning to accept the consequences of one's actions is often humorously linked to musicians, including violinists.
• "Fit as a fiddle": This common idiom, meaning to be in excellent health, is a playful pun on the word "fiddle," a colloquial name for the violin.

Variants and Related Words

• Violinist (n): A person who plays the violin.
  • The violinist gave a stunning performance.
• Violinistic (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of violin playing.
  • The piece requires great violinistic skill.
• Fiddle (n): A colloquial term for the violin, often used in folk, country, or bluegrass music contexts.
  • He played a lively tune on the fiddle.

Synonyms

• Fiddle: (Informal) A violin, especially when used to play folk music.

Related Phrases

• Second violin: Refers to the violin section in an orchestra that typically plays supporting harmonies rather than the main melody, or to a violinist who plays in this section.
  • She was promoted from the second violin section to first.
• Violin family: The group of string instruments that includes the violin, viola, cello, and double bass.

Noun

1. 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