atonal

adjective

aton·​al (ˌ)ā-ˈtō-nᵊl 

(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

(ˌ)ā-ˈtō-nə-ˌli-zəm 

(ˌ)a-

noun

atonalist

(ˌ)ā-ˈtō-nə-list 

(ˌ)a-

noun

atonality

ˌā-tō-ˈna-lə-tē 

ˌa-

noun

atonally

(ˌ)ā-ˈtō-nə-lē 

(ˌ)a-

adverb

Examples of atonal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Today composers often combine tonal and atonal elements, using atonality to create feelings of uncertainty, psychological tension, or dramatic intensity. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026

There are atonal jabs, and there are jazz flourishes, and there’s kind of a deeply romantic strain running through it as well. — Chris Willman, Variety, 29 July 2026

The first concert starts with Ciani’s signature ocean sounds before Cunningham’s chords—dull, glassy—add an atonal sheen. — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026

Some of it is almost atonal and experimental. — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 6 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

a- entry 2 + tonal

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for atonal

• coronal
• hormonal
• umbonal
• veronal
• clonal
• sonal
• tonal
• zonal
• embryonal
• monoclonal
• polyclonal

Kids Definition

atonal

adjective

aton·​al (ˈ)ā-ˈtōn-əl 

(ˈ)a-

: being music written without traditional organization based on a scale

atonality

ˌā-tō-ˈnal-ət-ē 

noun

atonally

(ˈ)ā-ˈtōn-ə-lē 

(ˈ)a-

adverb