Definitions for viola
ˈvaɪ ə lə, vaɪˈoʊ-, vi-vi·o·la

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. violanoun

   any of the numerous plants of the genus Viola

2. Viola, genus Violanoun

   large genus of flowering herbs of temperate regions

3. violanoun

   a bowed stringed instrument slightly larger than a violin, tuned a fifth lower

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Violanoun

   A female given name from Latin

   Were you a woman as the rest goes even, / I should my tears let fall upon your cheek, / And say, 'Thrice welcome, drowned Viola!'

2. Violanoun

   A town in Arkansas

3. Violanoun

   A town in Delaware

4. Violanoun

   A village in Illinois

5. Violanoun

   A city in Kansas

6. Violanoun

   A hamlet in New York

7. Violanoun

   A town in Tennessee

8. Violanoun

   A village in Wisconsin

9. Etymology: From Latin viola ("violet")

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Viola

   The viola ( vee-OH-lə, also UK: vy-OH-lə, Italian: [ˈvjɔːla, viˈɔːla]) is a string instrument that is bowed, plucked, or played with varying techniques. Slightly larger than a violin, it has a lower and deeper sound. Since the 18th century, it has been the middle or alto voice of the violin family, between the violin (which is tuned a perfect fifth above) and the cello (which is tuned an octave below). The strings from low to high are typically tuned to C3, G3, D4, and A4. In the past, the viola varied in size and style, as did its names. The word viola originates from the Italian language. The Italians often used the term viola da braccio meaning literally: 'of the arm'. "Brazzo" was another Italian word for the viola, which the Germans adopted as Bratsche. The French had their own names: cinquiesme was a small viola, haute contre was a large viola, and taile was a tenor. Today, the French use the term alto, a reference to its range. The viola was popular in the heyday of five-part harmony, up until the eighteenth century, taking three lines of the harmony and occasionally playing the melody line. Music for the viola differs from most other instruments in that it primarily uses the alto clef. When viola music has substantial sections in a higher register, it switches to the treble clef to make it easier to read. The viola often plays the "inner voices" in string quartets and symphonic writing, and it is more likely than the first violin to play accompaniment parts. The viola occasionally plays a major, soloistic role in orchestral music. Examples include the symphonic poem Don Quixote, by Richard Strauss, and the symphony/concerto Harold en Italie, by Hector Berlioz. In the earlier part of the 20th century, more composers began to write for the viola, encouraged by the emergence of specialized soloists such as Lionel Tertis and William Primrose. English composers Arthur Bliss, York Bowen, Benjamin Dale, Frank Bridge, Benjamin Britten, Rebecca Clarke and Ralph Vaughan Williams all wrote substantial chamber and concert works. Many of these pieces were commissioned by, or written for, Lionel Tertis. William Walton, Bohuslav Martinů, Tōru Takemitsu, Tibor Serly, Alfred Schnittke, and Béla Bartók have written well-known viola concertos. The concerti by Béla Bartók, Paul Hindemith, Carl Stamitz, Georg Philipp Telemann, and William Walton are considered major works of the viola repertoire. Paul Hindemith, who was a violist, wrote a substantial amount of music for viola, including the concerto Der Schwanendreher.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. viola

   A viola is a stringed musical instrument that is slightly larger than a violin, and has a lower and deeper sound. It is typically played with a bow and is commonly used in orchestral and chamber music. Its four strings are typically tuned to the notes C, G, D, and A. The viola is the middle voice in the string family, positioned between the violin and the cello.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Violanoun

   a genus of polypetalous herbaceous plants, including all kinds of violets

2. Violanoun

   an instrument in form and use resembling the violin, but larger, and a fifth lower in compass

3. Etymology: [L., a violet. See Violet.]

FreebaseRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Viola

   Viola is a genus of flowering plants in the violet family Violaceae, with around 400–500 species distributed around the world. Most species are found in the temperate Northern Hemisphere, however some are also found in widely divergent areas such as Hawaii, Australasia, and the Andes. Some Viola species are perennial plants, some are annual plants, and a few are small shrubs. A large number of species, varieties and cultivars are grown in gardens for their ornamental flowers. In horticulture the term "pansy" is normally used for those multi-coloured, large-flowered cultivars which are raised annually or biennially from seed and used extensively in bedding. The terms "viola" and "violet" are normally reserved for small-flowered annuals or perennials, including the species.

U.S. National Library of MedicineRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Viola

   A plant genus of the family VIOLACEAE. Some species in this genus are called bouncing bet which is a common name more often used with SAPONARIA OFFICINALIS. Members contain macrocyclic peptides.

Surnames Frequency by Census RecordsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. VIOLA

   According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Viola is ranked #5271 in terms of the most common surnames in America.
   
   The Viola surname appeared 6,616 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 would have the surname Viola.
   
   87.7% or 5,806 total occurrences were White.
   6.5% or 435 total occurrences were of Hispanic origin.
   3.6% or 239 total occurrences were Asian.
   1% or 69 total occurrences were Black.
   0.8% or 54 total occurrences were of two or more races.
   0.2% or 13 total occurrences were American Indian or Alaskan Native.

Matched Categories

1. • Bowed Stringed Instrument
   • Dilleniid Dicot Genus
   • Herbaceous Plant

Anagrams for viola »

1. voila

2. voilà

3. Ivalo

4. oliva

How to pronounce viola?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say viola in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of viola in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of viola in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of viola in a Sentence

1. Viola Fletcher:

   We asked her for another hearing day because mother( Viola) Viola Fletcher turns 108 on May 10, and we asked Caroline Wall and... we said' look, this issue needs to be resolved before this lady turns 108 years old.' And that's why she granted that hearing.

2. Debra Birnbaum:

   Viola brings Oscar caliber, and a lot of people were really surprised that 'Empire' didn't get a nomination for best drama series, 'Empire' was the talk of last season and if people really want to honor that show, they will throw their support behind Taraji.

3. Victor Borge:

   The difference between a violin and a viola is that a viola burns longer.

4. Dale Fairchild:

   If someone is that good at playing a musical instrument, that, in itself, is like another language. So, you've just allowed that child to move to the next level. Danielle’s older sister created a plastic device to help hold her bow for her viola, which has one string less than a violin. The plastic device has helped, but she still needs more flexibility. Christopher has an assistive device to play the cello, but he said it's a little too heavy. Giavedoni plans to remake Danielle’s device by using a mold of her wrist and hand, and he’ll lighten Christopher’s device. For us, it's being able to let these kids show other kids and adults that ‘Don't look at me for what I don't have. Look at all the great things I can do,’.

5. Viola Davis:

   I wrote this book to honor the 6-year-old Viola, to honor her life, her joy, her trauma, everything. And, it has just been such a journey – I just EGOT!

Popularity rank by frequency of use