chromatic

[kroh-mat-ik, kruh-]

adjective

1. pertaining to color or colors.

2. Music.

   1. involving a modification of the normal scale by the use of accidentals.

   2. progressing by semitones, especially to a tone having the same letter name, as in C to C sharp.

chromatic

/ krəˈmætɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by a colour or colours

2. music

   1. involving the sharpening or flattening of notes or the use of such notes in chords and harmonic progressions

   2. of or relating to the chromatic scale or an instrument capable of producing it

      a chromatic harmonica

   3. of or relating to chromaticism Compare diatonic

chromatic

1. Relating to color or colors.

Other Word Forms

• chromaticism noun
• chromatically adverb
• nonchromatic adjective
• nonchromatically adverb
• unchromatic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chromatic¹

1590–1600; < Greek chrōmatikós, equivalent to chrōmat- ( chromato- ) + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of chromatic¹

C17: from Greek khrōmatikos, from khrōma colour

Example Sentences

“There is some indication that chromatic composition of light, whether it is outdoors or from digital devices, is an important factor in this whole mechanism,” Khanal said.

From Salon

The music itself blends jazz, blues and gospel music, creating a compositional voice the New York Times described as "dominated by lushly chromatic and modal harmonic writing, spiked with jagged rhythms and tart dissonance."

From Salon

This roughly mimics the developmental progression of chromatic enrichment as babies' eyesight matures over the first years of life.

From Science Daily

It can strike you as quintessentially French, perhaps because it shares chromatic DNA with Matisse’s “Blue Nude” series of cutouts.

From New York Times

Not so much by the delightfully odd “Space Babies” episode with its on-the-nose title and guest cast that’s still in diapers but the chromatic cheer of the whole thing.

From Salon

Related Words

• bright 
• flashy 
• gaudy 
• hued 
• multicolored 
• rich 
• splashy 
• vibrant 
• vivid