atonal

American  

[ey-tohn-l] / eɪˈtoʊn l /

adjective

Music.

1. of, relating to, or marked by atonality.

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atonal British  

/ æ-, eɪˈtəʊnəl /

adjective

1. music having no established key Compare tonal

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Other Word Forms

• atonalism noun
• atonalistic adjective
• atonally adverb

Etymology

Origin of atonal

First recorded in 1920–25; a- ⁶ + tonal

Explanation

Atonal music doesn't follow the usual rules of melody, and it's not in a particular key. Sometimes very experimental atonal music sounds a lot like noise. Most music is written in a particular key, and it centers on a tone from which notes rise and fall in a familiar way. In the early 20th century, some adventurous composers wrote pieces that were atonal, such as Arnold Schoenberg, whose atonal compositions are among the most well known, although he objected to the term itself. The word atonal combines a-, "not," and tonal, from the Greek tonos, "pitch, accent, or key."

Example Sentences

Eventually, the atonal structure becomes the film’s nature.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

For example, dissonant, atonal harmonies convey a sense of unrest.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 21, 2024

He once played a piece for piano, violin and oboe for Milhaud that contained a melody he was ashamed to have written, as 12-point atonal music was in vogue at the time.

From Washington Times • Feb. 9, 2023

This month, we focus on Ornette Coleman, the iconoclastic saxophonist and bandleader whose style prioritized atonal chords over traditional rhythm and harmony, which helped establish the subgenre of free jazz in the late 1950s.

From New York Times • Nov. 2, 2022

I think it is finally my atonal screeching that awakes them.

From "Paper Towns" by John Green

Related Words

• discordant
• harsh
• loud
• strident