polyphonic

American  

[pol-ee-fon-ik] / ˌpɒl iˈfɒn ɪk /

adjective

1. consisting of many voices or sounds.

2. Music.

   1. having two or more voices or parts, each with an independent melody, but all harmonizing; contrapuntal (homophonic ).

   2. pertaining to music of this kind.

   3. capable of producing more than one tone at a time, as an organ or a harp.

3. Phonetics. having more than one phonetic value, as the letter s, that is voiced (z) in nose and unvoiced (s) in salt.

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polyphonic British  

/ ˌpɒlɪˈfɒnɪk /

adjective

1. music composed of relatively independent melodic lines or parts; contrapuntal

2. many-voiced

3. phonetics of, relating to, or denoting a polyphone

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Other Word Forms

• polyphonically adverb

Etymology

Origin of polyphonic

First recorded in 1775–85; polyphone + -ic

Example Sentences

The film moves between the two in a sweeping, polyphonic narrative blending performances by professional and amateur actors, portraying a multifaceted Franco-African community refreshingly free from stereotypes.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

The son of a concert pianist, he described his novels as polyphonic symphonies, works that mixed various tones and styles — fable, essay, autobiographical reflection — to explore the nature of identity or mortality.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 14, 2023

If you listen to the scene in its original language, it's a polyphonic effect.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2023

But we also read on captivated by the novel’s beautiful prose and polyphonic voices, and marveling at both its epic scope and rare intimacy.

From Washington Post • Feb. 23, 2023

The oldest polyphonic song known is the Medieval English song “Sumer Is Icumen In” dated from the mid-13th century.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin