A viola is a musical instrument with four strings that is played with a bow. It is like a violin, but is slightly larger and can play lower notes.
2. countable noun
Violas are small plants with white, yellow, or purple flowers.
viola in British English1
(vɪˈəʊlə)
noun
1.
a bowed stringed instrument, the alto of the violin family; held beneath the chin when played. It is pitched and tuned an octave above the cello
2.
any of various instruments of the viol family, such as the viola da gamba
Word origin
C18: from Italian viola, probably from Old Provençal viola, of uncertain origin; perhaps related to Latin vītulārī to rejoice
viola in British English2
(ˈvaɪələ, vaɪˈəʊ-)
noun
any temperate perennial herbaceous plant of the violaceous genus Viola, the flowers of which have showy irregular petals, white, yellow, blue, or mauve in colour
See also violet (sense 1), pansy (sense 1)
Word origin
C15: from Latin: violet
Viola in American English
(vaɪˈoʊlə; viˈoʊlə; ˈvaɪələ)
noun
a feminine name: dim. Vi
Word origin
< L viola, a violet
viola in American English1
(viˈoʊlə; vaɪˈoʊlə)
noun
a stringed instrument of the violin family, slightly larger than a violin and tuneda fifth lower
Word origin
It < OProv viula, viol
viola in American English2
(ˈvaɪələ; vaɪˈoʊlə)
noun
a violet; esp., any of various violets developed from a pansy (Viola cornuta), grown as garden plants