A four-stringed instrument that looks like a slighlty larger violin, but oncloser inpection its sound is more like that of a cello. Very smooth, mellow sound, but usually they get the shitty parts.

A glorious stringed instrument that creates a rich, warm tone when played, unlike the violin which can sound like someone is strangling a cat -- sometimes several cats. Either orchestras have barely any violas, or so many they have no idea what to do with all of them.

One of the five major stringed instruments. Tuned in a middle register, exactly an octave higher than the cello. Music written primarily in alto clef, occasionally treble. The brunt of many, many jokes.

The world's GREATEST instrument when it comes to orchestras. Many people say that the viola is the target of most of the orchestra jokes, but the truth is that almost every joke has an insert instrument name herescenario. Besides, how could anyone hate violas? Violins are like Icing on a cake. It's nice, but if you have to much of it, you want to throw up. The 2nd best orchestra instrument is the Cello, the 3rd best is the bass, and the worst is the violin.
Studies show that the more violas you have in an orchestra, the better the orchestra is. The viola offers a rich sound, not as high pitched, screachy, and annoying as a violin, but higher than a cello and more portable. As an added bonus, it's easier to whack other people with it and its bow because both weigh more than a violin.
The only down side to a viola vs. a violin is that a violin can play fiddle/celtic music easier because it is lighter. Then again, most rock bands that incorporate orchestra/classical music into their songs use more violas than violins because they're cooler and deeper sounding. Oh, and by the way, for those of you that pronounce it "Vigh-ola", it's really pronounced "Vee-ola", so get it right, cuz it's really fuckin' annoying.

A four stringed instrument that kicks ass! Viola's RULE, violins only play high notes, viola's play those sweet low tunes that would make you fall asleep.

A beautiful instrument with a sexy tone and is way better than the whiney violin.

Viola is a beautiful, loving, socially conscious girl with a great sense of humor. She has amazing fashion sense and everyone wants to be her friend. She has been throught the ups and downs of life, and know just what to say when you are feeling down. She is a wonderful person to be around. Everything she does if for the good of the people around her. She is the most amazing person to have as a friend. If you know a Viola, you are one lucky person.