harmonious
Americanadjective
-
marked by agreement in feeling, attitude, or action.
a harmonious group.
- Synonyms:
- sympathetic, congenial, amicable
- Antonyms:
- discordant
-
forming a pleasingly consistent whole; congruous.
harmonious colors.
- Synonyms:
- consistent, consonant, congruent, concordant
-
pleasant to the ear; tuneful; melodious.
- Antonyms:
- discordant
adjective
-
(esp of colours or sounds) fitting together well
-
having agreement or consensus
-
tuneful, consonant, or melodious
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of harmonious
First recorded in 1520–30, harmonious is from the Greek word harmónios melodious, literally, fitting. See harmony, -ous
Explanation
Things that are harmonious go together nicely, like notes in music or people that work well as a team. The idea of things being harmonious comes from music — when certain notes sound good together, they are harmonious. But this concept applies to many other things and people, too. You could say pieces of art that look good next to each other are harmonious. A basketball team that shares the ball and gets along well is harmonious. Anytime people get along, they're being harmonious. In a totally harmonious society, there would be no war or hate.
Vocabulary lists containing harmonious
Tuesdays with Morrie
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Black Like Me
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Novel Study: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act 2
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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.
Due to that success, expectations are high for a perfectly functioning and harmonious society.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026
LA28 hopes to create a similar, harmonious energy during the Games with sports parks at major sports zones.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026
The BBC wrote to all of the groups that run commonhold developments in England and Wales, and not all described a harmonious way of living.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
"Everyone feels vulnerable and in danger," he told AFP, with few able to talk freely in a place that was founded to find a "just and harmonious" way of life.
From Barron's ● Jun. 25, 2026
Over a five- year partnership, these two radically different men with often conflicting priorities had forged a surprisingly harmonious relationship, but decisions about Seabiscuit’s racing and training schedule had repeatedly caused tension between them.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
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.
