harmonic

1 of 2

adjective

har·​mon·​ic här-ˈmä-nik 

1

: musical

2

: of or relating to musical harmony or a harmonic

3

: pleasing to the ear : harmonious

4

: of an integrated nature : congruous

harmonically

här-ˈmä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

harmonic

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: overtone

especially : one whose vibration frequency is an integral multiple of that of the fundamental

b

: a flutelike tone produced on a stringed instrument by touching a vibrating string at a nodal point

2

: a component frequency of a complex wave (as of electromagnetic energy) that is an integral multiple of the fundamental frequency

Synonyms of harmonic

Adjective

• symmetrical
• balanced
• elegant
• aesthetic
• graceful
• harmonious

Examples of harmonic in a Sentence

Adjective

the desire to live the kind of harmonic life in which work and family are perfectly balanced

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In the first etude, strings play on open strings, which creates a sense of harmonic healing by leaving nature well enough alone. — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026

In this case, the two notes’ harmonic overtones overlap, and most people like listening to the sound as a result. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 10 June 2026

Noun

Muted guitars twirl in curlicued shapes, fleshed out by harp, woodwinds, and brass; clanking bells and mbira-like harmonics flare up in quiet patches, and background vocals fan across the stereo field. — Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 19 May 2026

At the monthly event, her patrons gather at the store, select a mattress (alone or with a friend), get cozy and swap the static of the world for the soothing harmonics of Moon’s quartz bowls. — Rebecca Leib, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing harmonic

• harmonic analysis
• harmonic mean
• harmonic motion
• harmonic progression
• harmonic series

Rhymes for harmonic

• atonic
• benthonic
• bionic
• bosonic
• bubonic
• canonic
• carbonic
• cyclonic
• demonic
• dystonic
• hadronic
• hedonic

Kids Definition

harmonic

1 of 2 adjective

har·​mon·​ic här-ˈmän-ik 

: of or relating to musical harmony as opposed to melody or rhythm

harmonically

-ˈmän-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

harmonic

2 of 2 noun

: overtone sense 1