harmonic

1 of 2

adjective

har·​mon·​ic här-ˈmä-nik 

1

: musical

2

: of or relating to musical harmony or a harmonic

3

: pleasing to the ear : harmonious

4

: of an integrated nature : congruous

harmonically

här-ˈmä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

harmonic

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: overtone

especially : one whose vibration frequency is an integral multiple of that of the fundamental

b

: a flutelike tone produced on a stringed instrument by touching a vibrating string at a nodal point

2

: a component frequency of a complex wave (as of electromagnetic energy) that is an integral multiple of the fundamental frequency

Synonyms

Adjective

• balanced
• congruous
• consonant
• eurythmic
• eurhythmic
• harmonious

Examples of harmonic in a Sentence

Adjective

the desire to live the kind of harmonic life in which work and family are perfectly balanced

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

And while the fundamentals have remained in place, the dynamics have improved noticeably, with the bass sounding far more pronounced, showing the harmonic complexities that lie beneath the band’s hard-charging, feel-good roof-raisers. —Reed Jackson, SPIN, 19 Sep. 2024

There's nothing in the patent describing how engineers deal with vibrations, harmonic balance, RPM ranges, or any of the juicier issues the idea might spark for those among us with a bit more black under our fingernails. —New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2024

Noun

Once again, with its superbly low harmonic distortion, the music is allowed to flow and even at high volumes there isn’t a hint of distortion or the sound breaking up. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024

This flair for harmonic psychologizing particularly enhances the figure of Norcesto, who strives to project power while feeling tormented by the legacy of his father, now deceased. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing harmonic

• harmonic analysis
• harmonic mean
• harmonic motion
• harmonic progression
• harmonic series

Kids Definition

harmonic

1 of 2 adjective

har·​mon·​ic här-ˈmän-ik 

: of or relating to musical harmony as opposed to melody or rhythm

harmonically

-ˈmän-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

harmonic

2 of 2 noun

: overtone sense 1