tonal

American  

[tohn-l] / ˈtoʊn l /

adjective

Music.

1. pertaining to or having tonality.

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tonal British  

/ ˈtəʊnəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to tone

2. of, relating to, or utilizing the diatonic system; having an established key Compare atonal

3. 1. (of an answer in a fugue) not having the same melodic intervals as the subject, so as to remain in the original key

   2. denoting a fugue as having such an answer Compare real 1

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Other Word Forms

• tonally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of tonal

1770–80; < Medieval Latin tonālis . See tone, -al ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tonal

Ralph Fulton, the founder of Leamington Spa-based Playground Games, told me the 2027 reboot of the role-playing classic Fable had "two tonal pillars" - "Britishness" and "fairy tales".

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

As posted on social media, the deal has the tonal earmarks of an official document.

From Slate ● Aug. 3, 2026

Ultimately, what a different outcome might genuinely have changed is more than tonal.

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026

Wilde navigates the tonal shifts with authority, delivering surprises along the way, including an ending that somehow delivers hope for the institution of wedlock.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2026

This version includes the tonal tendencies and interesting titles for each tone.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin