resonance

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The deep, full, lasting quality of a sound, especially one that seems to ring or echo.

   Grammar: Usually uncountable: the singer's voice had resonance.

   Patterns

   • the resonance of something

   The cello's rich resonance filled the hall.

   The speaker's voice had a calm resonance.

   Old stone walls give the chapel a gentle resonance.

2. 2nouncountable or uncountablephysicstechnical

   The strong effect that happens when an object vibrates in response to a sound or force at its natural frequency.

   Grammar: A technical term in physics: the bridge was damaged by resonance.

   Patterns

   • resonance in something
   • resonance frequency

   Resonance caused the wine glass to shatter when the note was sung.

   Engineers tested the tower for resonance in strong winds.

   The guitar body amplifies sound through resonance.

3. 3noununcountablefigurative

   The ability of an idea, event or story to feel meaningful or important to people because it connects with their experience.

   Grammar: Usually used with emotional or cultural meaning: a story with great resonance.

   Patterns

   • resonance with someone
   • have resonance for someone

   The film's message has special resonance for young people.

   The poem's resonance lasted long after the reading.

   Her words struck a note of resonance with the audience.

Word forms

Common combinations

emotional resonance

The scene has strong emotional resonance.

cultural resonance

The festival has deep cultural resonance.

magnetic resonance

Magnetic resonance imaging produces detailed scans.

have resonance

Her story still has resonance today.

resonance with

His speech found resonance with voters.

lack resonance

The slogan lacked resonance.

Synonyms and how they differ

echo

Echo is sound repeated after bouncing back, while resonance is the fullness that makes a sound ring.

significance

Significance means importance in general, while resonance suggests it is felt and connects emotionally.

reverberation

Reverberation is a technical word for the persistence of sound in a space, and is less likely to be used for ideas.

impact

Impact is the strong effect itself, whereas resonance suggests a lasting feeling it leaves.

Word family

resonate verb

to produce a deep sound or to strike a chord with people

resonant adjective

deep and ringing, or full of meaning

resonator noun

something that creates or increases resonance

resonantly adverb

in a deep, ringing way

Commonly confused: resonance or resilience?

Practice

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