Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

timpani

/ˈtɪmpəni/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.19 in modern English

Syllables: tim-pa-ni
IPA: /ˈtɪmpəni/

11

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The set of precision kettledrums in an orchestra.

noun

plural of timpano

Example Sentences

"Since the timpani is a legato instrument, a note must be allowed to sound and ring to achieve the full effect of the drum."

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian timpani, plural of timpano (“drum”), from Latin tympanum (“drum”), from Ancient Greek τύμπανον (túmpanon), from τύπτω (túptō, “to strike, to hit”). Doublet of tympanum, timbre, timbal, and tymbal.

Origin

Source language: Italian

Word Breakdown

Root: timpani, tympanum, τύμπανον

Inflected Forms

timpanis (plural) tympani (alternative)

Derived Forms

timpanist

Synonyms

kettledrums naker temple drums timps kettle kettledrum tympanum tympani

Homonyms

tympany

Questions

How do you pronounce timpani?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈtɪmpəni/.
What does timpani mean?: The set of precision kettledrums in an orchestra.
Where does timpani come from?: It is traced to Italian.

How to pronounce timpani

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “timpani”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈtɪmpəni/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “timpani”.
Repeat and practice — Say “timpani” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.