Word for the Day Archive

Intonation

Literally this means pitch, or using pitch. One who speaks with intonation uses pitch variations (presumably to help convey meaning). In our discourse of dealing with music, however, it has taken on a connotative meaning of describing pitch. When we refer to intonation we are often speaking of pitch accuracy or of relating to a pitch being produced. This is just how the word is often used in context. Similarly, intonation can also mean tuning, as in how an instrument is tuned. For example, sometimes a guitarist will say his guitar's "intonation is out." In this context he means that his instrument will not play in tune with itself.