Definition of "lilting" in English

adjective

1. Having a lilt; with energy, spirit and sprightliness; lively and cheerful.

noun

1. A type of lively singing without any musical accompaniment, where the tune itself is sung, often to nonsense syllables.

   • Anthology of Music and Dance of the Americas, The JVC/Smithsonian Folkways, Vol 1, Canada and the United States: Secular Traditions. Especially welcome in this survey are two examples of turlute, or lilting. In communities where musical instruments were not available, turlute was a common dance accompaniment. The popularity and availability of musical instruments has made lilting a rare art.

verb

1. present participle and gerund of lilt