B2nounlanguage
US/ˌɪn.toʊˈneɪ.ʃən/
UK/ˌɪn.təʊˈneɪ.ʃən/
the way your voice goes up and down when you speak, which can change the meaning
In context
Your intonation shows whether you are asking a question or making a statement.
Good intonation makes a presentation sound more confident and interesting.
On the phone, the customer's rising intonation told me she was confused.
Words that go with intonation
adjective + noun
- rising intonationRising intonation often signals a question.
- falling intonationUse falling intonation at the end of a statement.
- natural intonationHer natural intonation made the speech easy to follow.
verb + noun
- practice intonationI practice intonation by repeating news reports.
noun + noun
- stress and intonationStress and intonation matter in the IELTS speaking test.
- English intonationEnglish intonation can feel strange to Vietnamese speakers.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
Vietnamese has intonation to change word meaning.Correct: Vietnamese has tones to change word meaning.