What does trilled mean?
Trilled describes a sound produced with a trill, a rapid vibration or flutter. Its most familiar use is linguistic: in a “trilled r,” the tongue tip vibrates against the alveolar ridge behind the upper teeth, creating a rolling or buzzing quality. The term can also describe singing or other vocal and instrumental performance. A soprano may trill a phrase, while a bird's trilled call suggests a rapid succession of clear, fluctuating notes. As a past-tense or participial verb form, trilled indicates that someone or something made such a sound; as an adjective, it identifies a voice, note, or consonant as having that quality. Although its general sense is relatively straightforward, trilled is particularly useful because it identifies a specific articulation and sound effect rather than merely describing any trembling or fluctuating sound.
Pronounced or performed with a trill, especially with the rapid tongue vibration characteristic of a trilled r.
"The presenter spoke with a slightly trilled r."
The pronunciation sense is technical and commonly appears in discussions of phonetics and speech.
To make, sing, or utter a sound with a rapid quivering or warbling vibration.
"The singer trilled the final note and sustained it with a clear vibrato."
This form is common in descriptions of singing, birdsong, and other musical or vocal performances.
A trilled r turns the tongue into a tiny percussion instrument, adding a distinctive vibration to the spoken word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does trilled come from?
Trilled was formed from the English word trill with the addition of the ending -ed. Trill was borrowed into English through French, ultimately from the Latin trillare, meaning “to trill” or “to warble.” The same Latin source underlies cognate forms in languages such as Spanish and Italian.
Related word forms
How trilled is actually used
As a pronunciation term, “trilled” is chiefly technical and most often refers to an r produced with the tongue vibrating against the alveolar ridge. As a verb or descriptive adjective, it has a more literary or musical register and suggests a rapid, trembling, or warbling sound.
Easily confused with trilled
A trilled sound is produced with rapid vibration, whereas someone who is thrilled is intensely excited or delighted.