tonality

[ toh-nal-i-tee ]

/ toʊˈnæl ɪ ti /

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noun, plural to·nal·i·ties.

Music.

the sum of relations, melodic and harmonic, existing between the tones of a scale or musical system.
a particular scale or system of tones; a key.

(in painting, graphics, etc.) the system of tones or tints, or the color scheme, of a picture.

the quality of tones.

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Origin of tonality

First recorded in 1830–40; tonal + -ity

OTHER WORDS FROM tonality

to·nal·i·tive, adjectivenon·to·nal·i·ty, noun

Words nearby tonality

-tomy, to my mind, ton, tonal, tonalist, tonality, to-name, Tonawanda, Tonbridge, tondo, tone

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use tonality in a sentence

The tonality is, in some ways, unique to the platform itself, and also has to do with what we’re trying to accomplish through that platform specifically.
Media Buying Briefing: Known builds clients an ‘Iron Man suit’ made of data science and creativity to supercharge campaigns|Michael Bürgi|July 6, 2021|Digiday
It is necessary therefore to collect the scanty notices which we possess bearing upon the tonality of Greek music.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music|David Binning Monro
It must be vain to attempt to discover the tonality of a short fragment which has neither beginning nor end.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music|David Binning Monro
This octave, however, represents merely the compass (ambitus or tessitura) of the melody: it has nothing to do with its tonality.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music|David Binning Monro

His emotional centre is in being sensitive to the feel of the place or to the tonality of the person.
Instigations|Ezra Pound
The melodic form of the scale can then be taught, and both forms practised to give plenty of freedom in the new tonality.
Music As A Language|Ethel Home

British Dictionary definitions for tonality

tonality

/ (təʊˈnælɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

music

the actual or implied presence of a musical key in a composition
the system of major and minor keys prevalent in Western music since the decline of modesCompare atonality

the overall scheme of colours and tones in a painting

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

tonality

Origin of tonality

OTHER WORDS FROM tonality

Words nearby tonality

Words related to tonality

How to use tonality in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tonality