Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

diatonicism

noun
di·​a·​ton·​i·​cism | \ ˌdīəˈtänəˌsizəm\
variants: or less commonly diatonism \ ˈdīəˌtäˌnizəm , dīˈatəˌn-​ \
plural -s

Definition of diatonicism

1 : the quality or state of being diatonic
2 : the use of diatonic harmony —contrasted with chromaticism

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Learn More about diatonicism

Dictionary Entries near diatonicism

diatomite

diatom ooze

diatonic

diatonicism

diatoric

Diatraea

diatreme

Statistics for diatonicism

Look-up Popularity

Comments on diatonicism

What made you want to look up diatonicism? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

demeanor

Listen to the pronounciation of demeanor

behavior toward others

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a closeup of a sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games