resonant
gb/ɹˈɛzənənt/ us/ɹˈɛzənənt/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
C1
property
1
deeply meaningful and memorable
If something is resonant, it feels important and connects with you.
Usage pattern:
resonant with [someone]/[something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse resonant (emotionally meaningful) with nostalgic (making you think of the past).
Synonyms
evocative (Often highlights the ability to bring feelings or images to mind.)
|
meaningful (More general; may sound less vivid than resonant.)
|
powerful (Focuses on strength of impact, not necessarily emotional connection.)
Antonyms
irrelevant (Does not connect to the situation or people’s concerns.)
|
forgettable (Fails to make a lasting impression.)
Collocations
resonant message
|resonant theme
|resonant image
|resonant metaphor
|resonant example
|resonant story
|resonant speech
|culturally resonant
|deeply resonant
|resonant with audiences
Themes
emotions
|communication
|arts_and_culture
Examples
- Her final line was simple but deeply resonant for anyone who has lost a friend.
- The film’s themes are still resonant today, even decades later.
- He told a resonant story about failure that made the room go quiet.
Learner examples
- The message was resonant for many people.
- This idea is resonant with young voters.
adjective
C1
property
2
rich, clear, ringing sound
A resonant sound is deep, clear, and pleasant to hear.
Usage pattern:
a resonant [voice/sound/tone]
Common mistake:
Resonant does not simply mean loud; it describes quality (full and ringing).
Synonyms
sonorous (More formal; often used for voices and musical sounds.)
|
ringing (Emphasizes clarity and a bell-like quality.)
|
full-bodied (Common for voices; stresses richness rather than echo.)
Antonyms
muffled (Sound is dulled and unclear.)
|
thin (Lacking depth or richness in sound.)
Collocations
resonant voice
|resonant tone
|resonant sound
|resonant note
|resonant bass
|resonant guitar
|resonant bell
|resonant acoustics
|resonant boom
|resonant hall
Themes
music
|sound
|daily_life
Examples
- The actor’s resonant voice filled the theater without a microphone.
- A resonant drumbeat rolled through the stadium.
- The bell gave a resonant clang that echoed down the corridor.
Learner examples
- He has a resonant voice.
- The room makes the music more resonant.
adjective
technical
C1
property
3
able to vibrate at a frequency
In science, resonant describes something that naturally vibrates strongly at a certain frequency.
Usage pattern:
resonant [frequency/mode/system/cavity]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse resonant (adjective) with resonance (noun) or resonate (verb).
Synonyms
tuned (More general; can mean adjusted to match a frequency, not necessarily vibrating strongly.)
|
in resonance (A close paraphrase used in technical explanations.)
Antonyms
nonresonant (Not exhibiting resonance at the frequency in question.)
|
detuned (Adjusted away from the resonant frequency.)
Collocations
resonant frequency
|resonant mode
|resonant system
|resonant circuit
|resonant cavity
|resonant peak
|resonant vibration
|resonant response
|resonant oscillation
|resonant structure
Themes
science
|engineering
|music
Examples
- The antenna is most efficient at its resonant frequency.
- Engineers adjusted the resonant circuit to filter out unwanted signals.
- The design avoids resonant vibrations that could damage the bridge.
Grammar
Dictionary form
resonant
IPA
GB/ɹˈɛzənənt/
US/ɹˈɛzənənt/
Syllables & stress
res - on - ant (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (res)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: resonant
Expressions
resonant cavity
1/ɹˈɛzənənt kˈævəti/
fixed phrase
technical
enclosed space that supports resonance
A closed space that makes certain vibrations stronger.
Examples
- Microwave ovens work by creating electromagnetic waves in a resonant cavity.
- The instrument’s body acts as a resonant cavity that boosts the sound.
- Researchers designed a resonant cavity to concentrate the signal.
resonant chamber
1/ɹˈɛzənənt t͡ʃˈeɪmbɚ/
fixed phrase
space that makes sound stronger
A space that makes sounds louder and longer.
Examples
- The cathedral’s dome acted like a resonant chamber for the choir.
- They built a small resonant chamber to test the speaker design.
- Even a shallow cave can become a resonant chamber for footsteps and voices.
resonant frequency
1/ɹˈɛzənənt fɹˈikwənsi/
fixed phrase
technical
natural frequency of strongest vibration
The frequency where something vibrates most strongly.
Examples
- The glass shattered when the singer hit its resonant frequency.
- They measured the resonant frequency of the beam before testing the full structure.
- At the resonant frequency, the vibration amplitude increased sharply.
resonant mode
1/ɹˈɛzənənt mˈoʊd/
fixed phrase
technical
pattern of vibration at resonance
A particular way something vibrates when resonance happens.
Examples
- The simulation predicted a resonant mode that matched the lab data.
- They added damping to reduce the resonant mode during high winds.
- Different resonant modes appear at different frequencies.