music

[myoo-zik]

noun

1. an art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and color.

2. the tones or sounds employed, occurring in single line (melody) or multiple lines (harmony), and sounded or to be sounded by one or more voices or instruments, or both.

3. musical work or compositions for singing or playing.

4. the written or printed score of a musical composition.

5. such scores collectively.

6. any sweet, pleasing, or harmonious sounds or sound.

   the music of the waves.

7. appreciation of or responsiveness to musical sounds or harmonies.

   Music was in his very soul.

8. Fox Hunting.,  the cry of the hounds.

music

/ ˈmjuːzɪk /

noun

1. an art form consisting of sequences of sounds in time, esp tones of definite pitch organized melodically, harmonically, rhythmically and according to tone colour

2. such an art form characteristic of a particular people, culture, or tradition

   Indian music

   rock music

   baroque music

3. the sounds so produced, esp by singing or musical instruments

4. written or printed music, such as a score or set of parts

5. any sequence of sounds perceived as pleasing or harmonious

6. rare,  a group of musicians

   the Queen's music

7. informal,  to confront the consequences of one's actions

8. something that is very pleasant to hear

   his news is music to my ears

Other Word Forms

• musicless adjective
• antimusic noun
• undermusic noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of music¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English musike, from Latin mūsica, from Greek mousikḕ (téchnē) “(the art) of the Muse,” feminine of mousikós, from Moûs(a) Muse + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of music¹

C13: via Old French from Latin mūsica, from Greek mousikē ( tekhnē ) (art) belonging to the Muses, from Mousa _Muse

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. face the music, to meet, take, or accept the consequences of one's mistakes, actions, etc..

   He's squandered his money and now he's got to face the music.

More idioms and phrases containing music

• face the music

Example Sentences

Better to don a unicorn costume and play circus music, underscoring the absurdity of the situation.

Read more on Salon

It was a reflection of the city's music scene taking from hip hip culture and the emerging 'Bristol Sound'.

Read more on BBC

I’m not the first person to make the point that the music on the series is almost sickeningly on the nose, but this episode took the cake for me.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I love that I asked you about music you don’t understand and you told me about something you totally do understand.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“You know, most normal musicals, songs and music are more spread out,” Elfman explains.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• melody 
• opera 
• piece 
• rap 
• rock 
• singing www.thesaurus.com
• soul 
• tune