harmony

har·mo·ny

noun \ˈhär-mə-nē\

plural har·mo·nies

Definition of HARMONY

1

archaic : tuneful sound : melody

2

a : the combination of simultaneous musical notes in a chord b : the structure of music with respect to the composition and progression of chords c : the science of the structure, relation, and progression of chords

3

a : pleasing or congruent arrangement of parts <a painting exhibiting harmony of color and line> b : correspondence, accord <lives in harmony with her neighbors> c : internal calm : tranquillity

4

a : an interweaving of different accounts into a single narrative b : a systematic arrangement of parallel literary passages (as of the Gospels) for the purpose of showing agreement or harmony

Examples of HARMONY

1. a song with complicated harmonies and rhythms
2. <her face had an angelic harmony that fascinated the leading painters of her day>

Origin of HARMONY

Middle English armony, from Anglo-French armonie, from Latin harmonia, from Greek, joint, harmony, from harmos joint — more at arm

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to HARMONY

Synonyms: balance, coherence, concinnity, consonance, consonancy, orchestration, proportion, symmetry, symphony, unity

Antonyms: asymmetry, discordance, disproportion, disunity, imbalance, incoherence, violence

Related Words: coordination, correlation, correspondence, equalization, equilibrium, evenness, order, orderliness, regularity, uniformity

Near Antonyms: confusion, disorganization, dissonance, disturbance, tension; disconnectedness, disjointedness, incompatibility; irregularity, unevenness

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, presto, refrain, riff, segue