atonal
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- atonalism noun
- atonalistic adjective
- atonally adverb
Etymology
Origin of atonal
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
Think the often brilliant atonal scores of 1950s horror films or Martin Scorsese’s marvelously devious use of avant-garde classics in “Shutter Island.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2023
I think it is finally my atonal screeching that awakes them.
From "Paper Towns" by John Green
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
