vibrato

noun

vi·​bra·​to vi-ˈbrä-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce vibrato (audio)
vī-
plural vibratos
: a slightly tremulous effect imparted to vocal or instrumental tone for added warmth and expressiveness by slight and rapid variations in pitch
vibratoless
vi-ˈbrä-(ˌ)tō-ləs How to pronounce vibrato (audio)
vī-
adjective

Examples of vibrato in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dolly Parton, the country music icon whose soaring vibrato vocals, poignant songwriting and sparkling costumes defined her rise, has died. — Maria Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Extravagantly bewigged, boldly buxom, and graced with a peerless, vibrato-laden soprano voice, the exuberant Parton succeeded a hit-making early career in partnership with vocalist Porter Wagoner with a long series of solo hits. — Chris Morris, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026 One common musical principle that Hall and Russell both clung to was an aversion to vibrato and a preference for working with pure tone and drone. — Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026 Inside his brilliance lies a complex vibrato, leading to the richest of articulated vocals, even some soulful deviation that lean towards hints of melisma. — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for vibrato

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vibrato was circa 1876

Rhymes for vibrato

See All Rhymes for vibrato

Browse Nearby Words

vibrative
vibrato
vibrato bar
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vibrato.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vibrato. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

vibrato

noun
vi·​bra·​to vi-ˈbrät-ō How to pronounce vibrato (audio)
vī-
plural vibratos
: a slightly trembling effect given to vocal or instrumental tone by slight and rapid variations in pitch

More from Merriam-Webster on vibrato

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vibrato

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All