euphony

noun eu·pho·ny \ ˈyü-fə-nē \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of euphony

plural euphonies

1 : pleasing or sweet sound; especially : the acoustic effect produced by words so formed or combined as to please the ear

2 : a harmonious succession of words having a pleasing sound

—

euphonic

play \yu̇-ˈfä-nik\ adjective

—

euphonically

play \yu̇-ˈfä-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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Recent Examples of euphony from the Web

Intersections in the Washington area do not seem to be ranked officially for euphony or the way the names of the individual streets sound when they are linked together.

— martin weil, Washington Post, "Suspicious fire breaks out at euphonically- named intersection," 31 Mar. 2018
Commercials for one of the biggest brands, Bolla, played regularly on radio and television, and the euphony of the phrase was as catchy as Orson Welles declaring that Paul Masson would sell no wine before its time.

— eric asimov, New York Times, "Valpolicella Comes Out of the Shadows," 5 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'euphony.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Euphony was borrowed from French at the beginning of the 17th century; the French word ("euphonie") itself derives from the Late Latin euphonia, which in turn traces back to the Greek adjective euphōnos, meaning "sweet-voiced" or "musical." "Euphōnos" was formed by combining the prefix eu- ("good") and "phōnē" ("voice"). In addition to its more commonly recognized senses, "euphony" also has a more specific meaning in the field of linguistics, where it can refer to the preference for words that are easy to pronounce; this preference may be the cause of an observed trend of people altering the pronunciation of certain words apparently in favor of sound combinations that are simpler and faster to say out loud.

Origin and Etymology of euphony

French euphonie, from Late Latin euphonia, from Greek euphōnia, from euphōnos sweet-voiced, musical, from eu- + phōnē voice — more at ban

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1606

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

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Nglish: Translation of euphony for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about euphony

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euphony

Definition of euphony

euphonic

euphonically

euphony was our Word of the Day on 10/17/2017. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of euphony from the Web

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Origin and Etymology of euphony

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euphony

Definition of euphony

euphonic

euphonically

euphony was our Word of the Day on 10/17/2017. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of euphony from the Web

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Origin and Etymology of euphony

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Learn More about euphony

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