Warbly

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Characterized by a quavering or tremulous quality in sound, as if produced with unsteady vibrations
2. Exhibiting a wavering or fluctuating sound quality that resembles unsteady vocalization or musical notes
3. Having a distinctive, unsteady pitch or tone that gives off an impression of quivering or trembling sound

Etymology: "Warbly" is a plain formation: the adjective is "warble" with the suffix "-y", meaning "characterised by" or "full of" the thing named. "Warble" itself goes back through Middle English and Old English to a Germanic root that also gave rise to the idea of bending or turning, and the warbling of a bird was originally about the quick turns the voice makes in a song. Taken together, "warbly" describes a sound that wavers or trembles as it is held, which is exactly what a singer does when adding vibrato. The suffix does the same job it does in words like "bumpy" or "silky," turning a noun-like quality into a descriptive adjective.

Synonyms: wobbly, tremulous, quavering, vibrant, sing-song

Antonyms: steady, smooth, clear, firm, stable