symphonic

[ sim-fon-ik ]

adjective

1. Music. of, for, pertaining to, or having the character of a symphony or symphony orchestra.
2. of or relating to symphony or harmony of sounds.
3. characterized by similarity of sound, as words.

Other Words From

• sym·phoni·cal·ly adverb
• nonsym·phonic adjective
• nonsym·phoni·cal·ly adverb
• presym·phonic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of symphonic¹

First recorded in 1855–60; symphon(y) + -ic

Example Sentences

Flavorful street food sizzles on every corner, rickshaws and scooters blare their horns in symphonic competition, and cats and dogs thread between your legs as pedestrians shuffle shoulder to shoulder.

From Salon

And the arena-rock mood that kicks off “Hasta Que Me Duermo” becomes downright symphonic when Aguilar belts out the massive chorus about obsessive heartbreak — a moment that can best be described as progressive ranchera.

From Los Angeles Times

After they graduated, Richard had ambitions of becoming a symphonic composer and his brother had designs on writing the great American novel.

From Los Angeles Times

Twenty years ago, when Gelb was hired, the company’s chorus was widely regarded as a little unfocused, a little loud-and-louder — not quite on the level of the orchestra, which James Levine, the longtime artistic director, had made as flexible and nuanced as the great symphonic ensembles.

From New York Times

The gorgeous costumes, the vivid interiors and lush floral arrangements, the towers of sweets and symphonic renditions of pop songs, all melt into the ultimate in unchallenging small-screen escapism.

From Salon

Related Words

• harmonic
• lyrical