resonant: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “resonant” mean?
Producing a deep, clear, and prolonged sound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Producing a deep, clear, and prolonged sound; having the ability to vibrate sympathetically with a sound source.
Evoking strong emotions, memories, or associations; having a rich significance that echoes beyond the immediate context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British English in literary and critical contexts.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties; slightly higher in British academic prose.
Grammar
How to Use “resonant” in a Sentence
be resonant with somethingresonant + noun (e.g., tone, theme)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “resonant” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- 'Resonate' is the verb form; 'resonant' is not used as a verb.
American English
- 'Resonate' is the verb form; 'resonant' is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- 'Resonantly' is possible but rare, e.g., 'He spoke resonantly from the stage.'
American English
- 'Resonantly' is possible but rare, e.g., 'The bell rang resonantly across the square.'
adjective
British English
- The cello had a wonderfully resonant tone in the old hall.
- Her arguments were resonant with historical precedent.
American English
- His resonant baritone voice filled the auditorium.
- The novel's themes of freedom remain deeply resonant today.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically for ideas that gain widespread acceptance, e.g., 'The CEO's vision was resonant with the staff.'
Academic
Common in literary criticism, history, and social sciences to describe impactful themes or arguments.
Everyday
Most often used literally for sounds, e.g., describing a singer's voice or a musical instrument.
Technical
Precise meaning in physics and engineering relating to vibration and acoustics.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “resonant”
- Using 'resonant' to mean 'popular' or 'common' instead of 'evocative' or 'rich in sound/meaning'.
- Confusing 'resonant' (adj.) with 'resonate' (verb).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Resonant' is an adjective describing a sound or idea that is deep, clear, and evocative. 'Resonate' is a verb meaning to produce or be filled with such a sound, or to evoke a feeling of shared emotion or belief.
Yes, it is frequently used figuratively to describe themes, memories, or arguments that are emotionally powerful, meaningful, or evoke a strong response.
It is a C1-level word, common in formal, academic, and literary contexts, but less frequent in everyday casual conversation.
In physics and engineering, it is the natural frequency of vibration at which an object oscillates with maximum amplitude when energy is applied.
Producing a deep, clear, and prolonged sound.
Resonant is usually formal in register.
Resonant: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɛz(ə)nənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɛzənənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “strike a resonant chord”
- “resonant with meaning”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RESONant gong: its sound RESONates deeply and clearly.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEANING IS SOUND (e.g., 'That idea resonates with me').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'resonant' used figuratively?