atonal

[ ey-tohn-l ]

adjective

, Music.

1. of, relating to, or marked by atonality.

atonal

/ æ-; eɪˈtəʊnəl /

adjective

1. music having no established key Compare tonal

Derived Forms

• aˈtonally, adverb
• aˈtonalism, noun

Other Words From

• a·tonal·istic adjective
• a·tonal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of atonal¹

First recorded in 1920–25; a- ⁶ + tonal

Example Sentences

For example, dissonant, atonal harmonies convey a sense of unrest.

From Seattle Times

“When people hear the word ‘microtonal,’ they think of the word ‘atonal.’

From New York Times

“The stars are kind of out there with weird time signatures and complicated harmonies. The allergens are really spacey. When the molecules themselves sing, wow, things get kind of atonal,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

Amir ElSaffar has composed new music, an atonal jazz that Shepherd bangs out on keyboard when Pavel transitions into talky song.

From Los Angeles Times

He once played a piece for piano, violin and oboe for Milhaud that contained a melody he was ashamed to have written, as 12-point atonal music was in vogue at the time.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• discordant
• harsh
• loud
• strident