euphony

American  

[yoo-fuh-nee] / ˈyu fə ni /

noun

plural

euphonies

1. agreeableness of sound; pleasing effect to the ear, especially a pleasant sounding or harmonious combination or succession of words.

   the majestic euphony of Milton's poetry.

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euphony British  

/ ˈjuːfənɪ /

noun

1. the alteration of speech sounds, esp by assimilation, so as to make them easier to pronounce

2. a pleasing sound, esp in speech

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Etymology

Origin of euphony

1615–25; < Late Latin euphōnia < Greek euphōnía. See eu-, -phony

Explanation

Shakespeare's language is a good example of euphony: pleasant, musical sounds in harmony, as with “To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow / Creeps in this petty pace from day to day.” Use euphony to describe music or poetry. To understand it, break it down: eu- means good; phon- means sound or voice. Of course, just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, euphony is in the ear of the listener — it's subjective. Kids and their parents rarely find euphony in the same song.

Example Sentences

Finally, our group out here settled on Federalist Society as a name, which I suppose makes up in euphony what it lacks in accuracy.

From Salon • Dec. 2, 2021

The euphony in Obama’s campaign speeches, alternately fiery and soothing, changed to the melody of authority once he was in office.

From The Guardian • May 3, 2020

Listen to how the music unfolds: passages that slyly verge on atonality are linked like gossamer chains to hinge moments of pure tonal euphony, each expressing a clear dramatic point.

From The New Yorker • Feb. 28, 2019

He was richly alive to cadence and euphony.

From Economist • May 23, 2018

And now naturally,” he added, smiling at her grimly, “you’ll enjoy the feminine satisfaction in a moral victory—which is a euphony for getting your own way.”

From The Bigamist by Young, F.E. Mills