tonality

American  

[toh-nal-i-tee] / toʊˈnæl ɪ ti /

noun

plural

tonalities

1. Music.

   1. the sum of relations, melodic and harmonic, existing between the tones of a scale or musical system.

   2. a particular scale or system of tones; a key.

2. (in painting, graphics, etc.) the system of tones or tints, or the color scheme, of a picture.

3. the quality of tones.

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tonality British  

/ təʊˈnælɪtɪ /

noun

1. music

   1. the actual or implied presence of a musical key in a composition

   2. the system of major and minor keys prevalent in Western music since the decline of modes Compare atonality

2. the overall scheme of colours and tones in a painting

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Other Word Forms

• nontonality noun
• tonalitive adjective

Etymology

Origin of tonality

First recorded in 1830–40; tonal + -ity

Example Sentences

“It’s a change of tonality without a change of policy.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 15, 2026

Watching people record harmonies in real time, everyone on one mic, having to match the tonality of everybody else.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2024

“This time, however, we did it the wrong way. We lacked sensitivity around an incredibly serious tragedy, and our tonality was completely inappropriate. We are so sorry.”

From Seattle Times • May 23, 2023

But this production imbues modern vernacular in its tonality, and in a way that the audience understands.

From Salon • May 18, 2023

The "bright"-sounding major chords and the strong feeling of tonality are what give major keys their happy, pleasant moods.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Related Words

• timbre