Word
resonant
Phoneticsres·o·nant, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹɛzənənt/
UK/ɹˈɛzənənt/
Definition
adj. having a deep, clear, and powerful sound that lasts for a long time. It can also describe an idea or memory that feels very meaningful to you.
adj. producing or exhibiting a deep, clear, and reverberating sound. In a figurative sense, it describes something that evokes strong emotions or personal significance through shared experiences.
Examples
“The singer has a deep, resonant voice.”
“The speaker's words were deeply resonant with the audience, as many had faced similar challenges in their own lives.”
“The cathedral's architecture was designed to be acoustically resonant, ensuring that even the softest choral notes would carry clearly to the very back of the nave.”
Examples
simple
“The singer has a deep, resonant voice.”
contextual
“The speaker's words were deeply resonant with the audience, as many had faced similar challenges in their own lives.”
complex
“The cathedral's architecture was designed to be acoustically resonant, ensuring that even the softest choral notes would carry clearly to the very back of the nave.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'sound', or 'feel'. When used figuratively, it frequently takes the preposition 'with'.
Real-World Examples
“Photograph: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock Her performance, and Fall’s production as a whole, proves that this period comedy of manners is eternally resonant.” “Simon is at his best when among resonant rhythms from Johannesburg.” Etymology
Borrowed from French résonnant or Latin resonāre (“to resound”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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