semitone

[ sem-ee-tohn, sem-ahy- ]

nounMusic.
  1. a pitch interval halfway between two whole tones.

Origin of semitone

1
First recorded in 1600–10; semi- + tone

Other words from semitone

  • sem·i·ton·ic [sem-ee-ton-ik, sem-ahy-], /ˌsɛm iˈtɒn ɪk, ˌsɛm aɪ-/, sem·i·ton·al [sem-ee-tohn-l, sem-ahy-], /ˌsɛm iˈtoʊn l, ˌsɛm aɪ-/, adjective
  • sem·i·ton·al·ly, adverb

Words Nearby semitone

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How to use semitone in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for semitone

semitone

/ (ˈsɛmɪˌtəʊn) /


noun
  1. an interval corresponding to a frequency difference of 100 cents as measured in the system of equal temperament, and denoting the pitch difference between certain adjacent degrees of the diatonic scale (diatonic semitone) or between one note and its sharpened or flattened equivalent (chromatic semitone); minor second: Also called (US and Canadian): half step Compare whole tone

Derived forms of semitone

  • semitonic (ˌsɛmɪˈtɒnɪk), adjective
  • semitonally, adverb

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