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

The shapes collapse in on themselves and cycle in time with the music from my headphones, which also collapses in on itself and becomes quite atonal.

From Popular-Science

American Idol's eccentric, atonal auditioners make us laugh—and then we never see them again.

From The Daily Beast

The voice was talking a language I didn't understand at all that went up and down the scale like atonal music.

From Project Gutenberg

Another time, when they booed an atonal piece, he repeated it immediately.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• discordant
• harsh
• loud
• strident