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.
The nuanced understanding of consumer emotions, tonality, and sentiment—critical elements for brand building—remain domains where human insight currently outperforms AI capabilities. Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025 The results are a mix of warbling tonalities that sound ethereal while also remaining grounded in its overall physicality. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2025 Dinosaur Choir’s creators have also adapted those tonalities into modern musical performances. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2025 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 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 19 Apr. 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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