tonal

adjective

ton·​al ˈtō-nᵊl How to pronounce tonal (audio)
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.
One pair leans into deep, tonal shades of purple, burgundy and soft blue, while the other uses a high-contrast palette of black, purple and yellow. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 16 May 2025 Modern Minimalism With Abstract Stripes and a Chic Statement Pendant For those who usually gravitate toward solids, choose a dress in muted tones and a tonal print like this slip from Australian brand Sir. Lara Oliveri, Vogue, 15 May 2025 Soon after the kids vacated the stage, there was a tonal 180 as Fox News’ Martha MacCallum interviewed a remote Bret Baier, who had taken his iridescent teeth on assignment to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to interview Trump. Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025 Practical welt pockets, button closures, and adjustable cuffs maintain functionality, while thoughtful tonal stitching keeps the aesthetic sophisticated. Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025 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 25 May. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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