Definition of "lilt" []

• A cheerful or lively manner of speaking, in which the pitch of the voice varies pleasantly. (noun)
• A light, happy tune or song. (noun)
• A light or resilient manner of moving or walking. (noun)
• To say, sing, or play (something) in a cheerful, rhythmic manner. (verb-transitive)
• To speak, sing, or play with liveliness or rhythm. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Carl and Faith were already on their way through the early moonlight to Rainbow Valley, having heard therefrom the elfin lilt of Jerry's jew's-harp and having guessed that the Blythes were there and fun afoot."
• "One thing was, one of the other guitar players, Chad, started playing this lick against the line that Vic had, and it was - it was almost perverse because it had this kind of lilt to it."
• "Not that hearing her voice isn't always a melody for me, but there was a far more pronounced "lilt" in her greeting."