semitone

noun

semi·tone | \ ˈse-mē-ˌtōn

How to pronounce semitone (audio)

, ˈse-ˌmī-, -mi-\

Definition of semitone

: the tone at a half step also : half step

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Other Words from semitone

semitonic \ ˌse-mē-ˈtä-nik

, ˌse-ˌmī- , -mi- \ adjective

semitonically \ ˌse-mē-ˈtä-ni-k(ə-)lē

, ˌse-ˌmī- , -mi- \ adverb

Get Musical With the Definition of Semitone

A semitone (sometimes called a half tone or a half step) is the distance from a white key to a neighboring black key on the piano keyboard—for example, from G to G-sharp or from E to E-flat. In an octave (from G to the next G above, for instance), there are twelve semitones. Semitones are the smallest intervals that are used intentionally in almost any of the music you'll normally hear. Two semitones equal a whole tone—the distance from G up to A or from E down to D, for example.

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Dictionary Entries near semitone

semitranslucent

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Time Traveler for semitone

The first known use of semitone was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for semitone

semitone

noun

English Language Learners Definition of semitone

music : a difference in sound that is equal to ¹/₁₂ of an octave

See the full definition for semitone in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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