noun

resonance

/ˈrezənəns/ · say it: REZ·uh·nuns

the enrichment of sound by vibration

In more detail

1. (noun) a deep, rich sound that echoes or vibrates; the quality of having a strong effect because of personal meaning or connection

2. (noun) in physics, the tendency of an object to vibrate more strongly when it receives vibrations at its natural frequency

Examples

1. The speaker's message had resonance with the audience because many had experienced similar struggles. 2. When you strike a tuning fork, it produces a clear resonance that other identical forks will vibrate in response to. 3. The violin's resonance creates a warm, full tone.

How to use resonance

Resonance is used both technically in physics and metaphorically in humanities contexts to describe deep, meaningful connection or impact. In everyday usage, it refers to how an idea, message, or feeling strikes a strong chord with people; it implies both vibrational or echoing qualities and a sense of profound relevance or alignment with personal experience.

Common phrases

emotional resonance
cultural resonance
resonate with audiences
resonate deeply
find resonance
resonate throughout

Synonyms

echo · vibration · reverberation · harmony · rapport

Opposites

silence · discord

Word family

resonate (verb) · resonant (adjective) · resonantly (adverb)

A common mistake

Learners often use resonance as a countable noun ('the resonances') when referring to emotional or cultural impact, but it is typically used as an uncountable noun ('the resonance was strong') in contemporary English.

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