Lilted

The word 'lilted' describes a gentle, rhythmic rise and fall in sound or speech, often associated with a pleasing or melodious quality. It suggests a light and graceful flow, a subtle modulation, or a playful inflection. This can apply to a person's voice, a musical phrase, or even the movement of something. The rhythm is typically characterized by a slight and graceful movement that's gentle, sometimes even a bit playful. The impression is usually that it is done for aesthetic reasons, or even to imply or invoke something of a mood or feeling. The nuance comes across as somewhat gentle, never too forceful.

Lilted meaning with examples

• The singer's voice lilted as she delivered the ballad, her tone shifting subtly with each passing line. The melody had an ease to it that made you feel the emotion behind her words. Each time the sound seemed to waver, the song filled the theater, bringing an air of romance into the minds of the audience and their thoughts.
• As he read the children's story, his voice lilted upwards, giving a sense of excitement and wonder to the words. His gentle intonation made the story come to life and filled the children with awe and amusement. His cadence made the kids wish to hear the story again and again, for they enjoyed the gentle rhythm.
• The gentle breeze lilted through the wind chimes, their delicate tinkling notes weaving a peaceful melody. Their music combined, producing a harmonious sound that calmed the mind and gave an aura of tranquility. As the chimes drifted away in the distance, their sounds were a whisper that encouraged calm.
• She watched the way the dancer's body lilted during her performance, the rise and fall of her movements expressing emotions. The graceful curves and motions displayed by her movements moved like liquid in the air. In her performance, each motion had a purpose, filling the audience with the beauty of the performance.