Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

whole step

American  

noun

Music.
  1. an interval of two semitones, as A-B or B-C♯; a major second.


Etymology

Origin of whole step

First recorded in 1895–1900

Compare meaning

How does whole-step compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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.

See Examples For:

This is a half step where a whole step is needed.

From Salon Sep. 1, 2023

“This could be a whole step forward for understanding magmatism—and the global composition of the bulk Earth.”

From Science Magazine May 25, 2023

Some of them we drop a whole step, some we drop a half step, and some are still in the original keys.

From New York Times Jul. 25, 2018

Professorial but also constructive and collegial, he offered tips for improving a trill, the quicksilver oscillation of notes a half or a whole step apart.

From New York Times Jul. 3, 2010

After he learns to do that, it will be another whole step to make him see that fruit is not a thing he must rely on the hands of mankind for, but grows on trees.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training