tonal

adjective

ton·​al ˈtō-nᵊl How to pronounce tonal (audio)
Synonyms of tonalnext
1
: of or relating to tone, tonality, or tonicity
2
: having tonality
tonally adverb

Examples of tonal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 10 resulting short films span a wide tonal range. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 June 2026 The Lotus bangles exemplify that thinking—open, architectural lines invite light to pass through the forms, casting reflections and subtle tonal variations as the wrist moves—objects made to engage naturally with the body. Jill Newman, Robb Report, 18 June 2026 Signature pumps featuring a tonal VLogo detail on the vamp. Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 18 June 2026 To ensure the Sennheiser Signature sound, the earbuds use a Dynamic EQ for compensation of tonal shifts when the playback volume is lowered. Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for tonal

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tonal was in 1776

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tonal. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

tonal

adjective
ton·​al ˈtōn-ᵊl How to pronounce tonal (audio)
: of or relating to a musical tone
tonally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on tonal

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster