noun

violinist

vy-uh-LIN-ist/ˌvaɪəˈlɪnɪst/

A person who plays the violin.

The violinist holds the instrument beneath his chin as he plays.

A young adult man actively plays a violin, with the instrument tucked beneath his chin, his left fingers on the fingerboard and his right hand drawing the bow across the strings.

Etymology

violItalianviola

+inItaliansmall

+istItalianperformer or practitioner

The violin's name means a small viola, reflecting its connection to the smaller medieval viola da braccio. The performer ending turns that instrument name into the name of someone who plays it.

In context

Progressive Discussions163:46

a famous violinist that's part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic whatever nice his name is uh Isaac he's in Israeli Isaac Perlman Isaac Perlman Isaac Perlman plays the violin outstanding

Progressive Discussions-Open Topic Talk-Chiseler's Hall of Shame-Since 2007-Climate Change Crisis

More examples

Two violinists join a violist and a cellist in the quartet.
The orchestra's lead violinist performs a beautiful solo.
My sister hopes to become a professional violinist.

Forms

violinist · violinists

violin noun — A four-stringed instrument played with a bow.

Similar words

fiddler: Often suggests someone who plays folk or traditional music.