vibrato

noun vi·bra·to \vi-ˈbrä-(ˌ)tō, vī-\

music : a way of making small, rapid changes in a musical note that you are singing or playing so that it seems to shake slightly

plural vi·bra·tos

Full Definition of VIBRATO

: a slightly tremulous effect imparted to vocal or instrumental tone for added warmth and expressiveness by slight and rapid variations in pitch

— vi·bra·to·less \-ləs\ adjective

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Italian, from past participle of vibrare to vibrate, from Latin

First Known Use: circa 1876

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