atonal

adjective

aton·​al (ˌ)ā-ˈtō-nᵊl How to pronounce atonal (audio)
(ˌ)a-
: marked by avoidance of traditional musical tonality
especially : organized without reference to key or tonal center and using the tones of the chromatic scale impartially
atonalism noun
atonalist noun
atonality noun
atonally adverb

Examples of atonal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Other cuts start as pop songs before crashing into atonal messes and freak rock chaos. Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025 Riley, a Northern California native, who has always exuded a Zen-like geniality, was part of a generation of young American composers who had turned away from audience-alienating atonal music, which had been proselytized by their teachers in the science-minded postwar academy. William Robin, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2025 In fact, the entire film can't decide whether to embrace the silly or the serious — and yet somehow, that atonal balance works. Devan Coggan, EW.com, 3 Aug. 2025 Gradually, the music mutates into something more alien: off-key chiming of a clock, percussive piano clanking and plucking, atonal saxophone solos that sound as if an instrument is being dropped. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for atonal

Word History

Etymology

a- entry 2 + tonal

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of atonal was in 1911

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Cite this Entry

“Atonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atonal. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

atonal

adjective
aton·​al (ˈ)ā-ˈtōn-əl How to pronounce atonal (audio)
(ˈ)a-
: being music written without traditional organization based on a scale
atonality noun
atonally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on atonal

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