music

[ myoo-zik ]

noun

1. an art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant forms through the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and color.
2. the tones or sounds employed, occurring in single line (melody) or multiple lines (harmony), and sounded or to be sounded by one or more voices or instruments, or both.
3. musical work or compositions for singing or playing.
4. the written or printed score of a musical composition.
5. such scores collectively.
6. any sweet, pleasing, or harmonious sounds or sound:

   the music of the waves.

7. appreciation of or responsiveness to musical sounds or harmonies:

   Music was in his very soul.

8. Fox Hunting. the cry of the hounds.

music

/ ˈmjuːzɪk /

noun

1. an art form consisting of sequences of sounds in time, esp tones of definite pitch organized melodically, harmonically, rhythmically and according to tone colour
2. such an art form characteristic of a particular people, culture, or tradition

   Indian music

   baroque music

   rock music

3. the sounds so produced, esp by singing or musical instruments
4. written or printed music, such as a score or set of parts
5. any sequence of sounds perceived as pleasing or harmonious
6. rare.
   a group of musicians

   the Queen's music

7. face the music informal.
   to confront the consequences of one's actions
8. music to one's ears
   something that is very pleasant to hear

   his news is music to my ears

Other Words From

• music·less adjective
• anti·music noun adjective
• under·music noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of music¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English musike, from Latin mūsica, from Greek mousikḕ (téchnē) “(the art) of the Muse,” feminine of mousikós, from Moûs(a) Muse + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of music¹

C13: via Old French from Latin mūsica, from Greek mousikē ( tekhnē ) (art) belonging to the Muses, from Mousa Muse

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. face the music, to meet, take, or accept the consequences of one's mistakes, actions, etc.:

   He's squandered his money and now he's got to face the music.

More idioms and phrases containing music

In addition to the idiom beginning with music , also see face the music .

Example Sentences

Smith’s gateway to country music when he was a kid was Garth Brooks, whose flamboyant live approach in the ’90s was basically that of a rock star.

From Los Angeles Times

Payne’s collaborator, music producer Sam Pounds, also walked back the release of the singer’s posthumous single “Do No Wrong” amid fan outcry.

From Los Angeles Times

So instead he went to Kilar, “who did great but gave me very little music, albeit fine, which required lots of reuse and remixing of cues.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I think because I’m always dealing with ambiguous emotions, I’ve always been afraid of music tipping the balance in one direction or being too histrionic or too sentimental.”

From Los Angeles Times

Toward the end of every year, our critics share their thoughts on the best film, television, pop music, classical music, books, art, dance, theater, video games, comedy and so much more.

From New York Times

Related Words

• melody
• opera
• piece
• rap
• rock
• singing
• soul
• tune