homophony

[ huh-mof-uh-nee, hoh- ]

noun

1. the quality or state of being homophonic.
2. homophonic music.

homophony

/ hɒˈmɒfənɪ /

noun

1. the linguistic phenomenon whereby words of different origins become identical in pronunciation
2. part music composed in a homophonic style

Word History and Origins

Origin of homophony¹

1770–80; < Greek homophōnía unison, equivalent to homóphōn ( os ) homophonous + -ia -y ³

Example Sentences

In most well-written homophony, the parts that are not melody may still have a lot of melodic interest.

From Literature

Common indicators for homophony are words relating to sound or speech: “heard,” “to an audience,” “said,” and the like.

From The New Yorker

At a time when homophony was coming to the fore—melody over accompaniment—Duarte’s contrapuntal interplay of lines would have had a somewhat old-fashioned sound.

From The New Yorker

The homophony of “Devine” and “the Vine” was, of course, more than mere coincidence.

From Salon

A melody so accompanied—even though all the notes are not those of the true Bass—or treated with simple embellishments in the upper parts, or with simple chords, used to be called “homophony.”

From Project Gutenberg