microtone
noun
any musical interval smaller than a semitone, specifically, a quarter tone.
microtonal
-
a word derived from
microtone.
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.
It is variegated with mingled, microtonal refractions from the window and the mirror.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
Haas had forged an original voice using microtonal materials, or intervals smaller than the minor second, the smallest distance between two notes in standard Western intonation.
From New York Times ● Jan. 17, 2024
Her work is a duet between traditions, where classically notated orchestral and chamber ensembles dance with improvised, microtonal Hindustani vocals, sitars and violins.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 25, 2023
Smith uses microtonal runs to do what bushy Joshua trees do to the landscape, namely make it weird.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 27, 2023
As of this writing, the Huygens-Fokker Foundation92 was a good place to start looking for information on microtonal music.
From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones
