tonality

noun

to·​nal·​i·​ty tō-ˈna-lə-tē How to pronounce tonality (audio)
plural tonalities
1
: tonal quality
2
b
: the organization of all the tones and harmonies of a piece of music in relation to a tonic
3
: the arrangement or interrelation of the tones of a work of visual art

Examples of tonality in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At idle, the exhaust note is neither spine-tingling nor cabin-drowning, but the subtle tonalities become more prominent with the proper combination of drive-mode setting, speed, and engine rpm. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2025 With a frequency range starting at a subsonic 4Hz and extending to a bat-squeaking 96kHz, these headphones have a tonality enhanced with high-frequency sparkle but with a comfortable sound signature. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025 Neutral colors were the name of the game, accented with rich tonalities of burgundy and deep green. Rhonda Richford, WWD, 27 Jan. 2025 At moments, the recorded strings grope toward a recognizable tonality, with trembling triads superimposed. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tonality

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from French tonalité, from tonal tonal + -ité -ity

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tonality was in 1838

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Cite this Entry

“Tonality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tonality. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

tonality

noun
to·​nal·​i·​ty tō-ˈnal-ət-ē How to pronounce tonality (audio)
plural tonalities
: the character of a piece of music based on its key or on the relation of its tones and chords to a particular keynote

More from Merriam-Webster on tonality

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