chromatic scale

noun

: a musical scale consisting entirely of half steps

Examples of chromatic scale in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Its layout doesn’t follow a regular chromatic scale, so a half step between notes can necessitate a giant leap across the instrument. Jane Bua, New Yorker, 5 May 2025 Before the middle of the second measure, Mahler-Werfel has run through all twelve tones of the chromatic scale. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025 The upper limits of baritone range were successfully traveled by Jonathan Nussbaum as the humorously demonic valet, whose one-note recitative slowly, uncomfortably climbs up the chromatic scale with each line. Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2023 Resisting this hurry, Jyoti’s voice drags, slips backward down a chromatic scale, stops, changes keys, rises, turns corners and reconsiders. New York Times, 11 Mar. 2021 The quick march returns, but this time a dramatically slow rising chromatic scale for woodwinds, brass and strings brings the emotional level to its zenith with the last climactic repeat of the trio melody. Barrymore Laurence Scherer, WSJ, 4 Sep. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1789, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chromatic scale was circa 1789

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Cite this Entry

“Chromatic scale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chromatic%20scale. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

chromatic scale

noun
: a musical scale that has all half steps

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