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

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Etymology

Origin of tonal

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tonal

The new PM is said to be keen to adopt a "tonal shift" at the weekly half-hour session and will attempt to bring more humour to the occasion.

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

Once the band came on board, Kittrell walked them through Liz’s season-long emotional arc on a Zoom call, using Olivia Rodrigo’s “Brutal” and the band’s early work as tonal reference points.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026

There’s a wonderful verve to Early’s filmmaking, allowing what would otherwise come off as breakneck tonal shifts to feel remarkably earned.

From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026

In tonal music, just about any melody is allowed, as long as it fits into the harmonies as they wander away from and then head back to their home base.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

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