lilt

UK: /ˈlɪlt/ US: /lɪlt/ ,(lilt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

lilt /lɪlt/   n. [countable]

1. Music and Dance rhythmic rising or falling in the voice;
   cadence.

lilt•ing, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

lilt  (lilt), n. 

1. Music and Dance rhythmic swing or cadence.
2. Music and Dance a lilting song or tune.

v.i., v.t. 

3. Music and Dance to sing or play in a light, tripping, or rhythmic manner.

• 1300–50; Middle English lulte; perh. akin to Dutch lul pipe, lullen to lull

lilt′ing•ly, adv. 
lilt′ing•ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

lilt / lɪlt/ noun

1. (in music) a jaunty rhythm
2. a buoyant motion

verb (intransitive)

1. (of a melody) to have a lilt
2. to move in a buoyant manner

Etymology: 14th Century lulten, origin obscure

ˈlilting adjective