What does "viola" mean?
Any of several flowering plants, of the genus Viola, including the violets and pansies.
Viola
/vaɪˈoʊlə/ intj, name, noun
intj, name, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Any of several flowering plants, of the genus Viola, including the violets and pansies.
- Grammar: viola is listed as intj, name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: a string, alto string instrument, amati, bass.
- Usage evidence: Tom knows how to play the viola.
How to use "viola"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "viola" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "viola" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "viola" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "viola" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "viola" is acting as intj, name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "a string" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "viola", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Any of several flowering plants, of the genus Viola, including the violets and pansies.
- 2 A stringed instrument of the violin family, somewhat larger than a violin, played under the chin, and having a deeper tone.
"But those who attack violists shouldn't throw resin. Once the ergonomic viola catches on what instrument will be immune?"
- 3 a bowed stringed instrument slightly larger than a violin, tuned a fifth lower wordnet
- 4 A person who plays the viola.
- 5 any of the numerous plants of the genus Viola wordnet
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 An organ stop having a similar tone.
- 7 A 10-string steel-string acoustic guitar, used in Brazilian folk music.
- 8 A berimbau viola, the smallest member of the berimbau used in capoeira music.
Intj
- 1 Misconstruction of voila. alt-of, humorous, misconstruction, often
"And viola, Eureka California! I have finished my greatest invention: the worst dog in the world!"
Proper Noun
- 1 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 A comune in Cuneo province, Piedmont, Italy.
- 3 A number of places in the United States:; A town in Fulton County, Arkansas.
- 4 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Shasta County, California.
- 5 A number of places in the United States:; A town in Kent County, Delaware.
Show 14 more definitions
- 6 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Heard County, Georgia.
- 7 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Latah County, Idaho.
- 8 A number of places in the United States:; A village in Greene Township, Mercer County, Illinois.
- 9 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Brown Township, Linn County, Iowa.
- 10 A number of places in the United States:; A minor city and township in Sedgwick County, Kansas.
- 11 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Graves County, Kentucky.
- 12 A number of places in the United States:; A township and unincorporated community therein, in Olmsted County, Minnesota.
- 13 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Barry County and Stone County, Missouri.
- 14 A number of places in the United States:; A hamlet and census-designated place in the town of Ramapo, Rockland County, New York.
- 15 A number of places in the United States:; A town in Warren County, Tennessee.
- 16 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Marion County, West Virginia.
- 17 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Marshall County, West Virginia.
- 18 A number of places in the United States:; A village in Richland County and Vernon County, Wisconsin.
- 19 A number of places in the United States:; Other townships in Illinois and Iowa, listed under Viola Township.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Tom knows how to play the viola."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "viola"?
Common synonyms include: a string, alto string instrument, amati, bass, bass viol, bassoon.
How do you use "viola" in a sentence?
Tom knows how to play the viola.
How do you pronounce "viola"?
Pronounced /vaɪˈoʊlə/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Latin viola (“violet”).
Etymology 2
From Italian viola, from Old Occitan viola (modern Occitan viula), from Medieval Latin vitula (“stringed instrument”), possibly from Frankish *fiþulā (“violin, fiddle”). Doublet of viol. Also possibly a doublet of fiddle.