1 viola | Definition of viola

viola

noun (1)
vi·​o·​la | \ vī-ˈō-lə How to pronounce viola (audio) , vē- How to pronounce viola (audio) ; ˈvī-ə- How to pronounce viola (audio) \

Definition of viola

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: violet sense 1a especially : any of various garden hybrids with solitary white, yellow, or purple often variegated flowers resembling but smaller than typical pansies

viola

noun (2)
vi·​o·​la | \ vē-ˈō-lə How to pronounce viola (audio) \

Definition of viola (Entry 2 of 2)

: a musical instrument of the violin family that is intermediate in size and compass between the violin and cello and is tuned a fifth below the violin

Other Words from viola

Noun (2)

violist \ -​list How to pronounce violist (audio) \ noun

First Known Use of viola

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1786, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for viola

Noun (1)

Middle English, borrowed from Latin, "violet" — more at violet

Noun (2)

borrowed from Italian, "viola, viol," borrowed from Old Occitan viola, viula "viol" — more at viol

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for viola

viola

noun
vi·​o·​la | \ vī-ˈō-lə How to pronounce viola (audio) , vē-\

Kids Definition of viola

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a garden plant that looks like but is smaller than a pansy

viola

noun
vi·​o·​la | \ vē-ˈō-lə How to pronounce viola (audio) \

Kids Definition of viola (Entry 2 of 2)

: a stringed musical instrument like a violin but slightly larger and lower in pitch

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on viola

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with viola

Spanish Central: Translation of viola

Nglish: Translation of viola for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about viola

×

You're never
too cool to learn something new.

Sign up for our Word of the Day
daily newsletter!