First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1trill
verb \ˈtril\
Definition of TRILL
intransitive verb
1
: to flow in a small stream or in drops : trickle
transitive verb
: to cause to flow in a small stream
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Origin of TRILL
Middle English; akin to Middle Dutch trillen to vibrate, Swedish trilla to roll
2trill
noun
: the sound of going quickly back and forth many times between two musical notes that are close to each other
: a quick high sound that is repeated
Full Definition of TRILL
1
a : the alternation of two musical tones a diatonic second apart —called also shake b : vibrato c : a rapid reiteration of the same tone especially on a percussion instrument
2
: a sound resembling a musical trill : warble
3
a : the rapid vibration of one speech organ against another (as of the tip of the tongue against the teethridge) b : a speech sound made by a trill
See trill defined for English-language learners
See trill defined for kids
Origin of TRILL
Italian trillo probably of imitative origin
First Known Use: 1649
3trill
verb
Definition of TRILL
intransitive verb : to play or sing with a trill : quaver
transitive verb
: to utter as or with or as if with a trill <trill the r>
— trill·er noun
First Known Use of TRILL
circa 1667
TRILL Defined for Kids
1trill
noun \ˈtril\
Definition of TRILL for Kids
1
: 1warble 1
2
: the rapid vibration of one speech organ against another (as the tongue against the teeth) <She pronounces r's with a trill.>
3
: a quick movement back and forth between two musical tones one step apart
2trill
verb
trilledtrill·ing
Definition of TRILL for Kids
: to utter as or with a trill
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