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

The drivers achieve a piston-like motion across the audio spectrum which reduces harmonic distortion. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024

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

Noun

Unleashing jet streams of arpeggios, phrases, harmonics and licks, the New York native often looked as if he slow-danced with an invisible partner. —Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2024

Even where the most negligible harmonic variations in a voice or instrument are concerned, the Technics pounces on them like its life depended on it. —Simon Lucas, WIRED, 31 Oct. 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