Harmonic: meaning, definitions and examples
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harmonic
[ hɑːˈmɒnɪk ]
music
Relating to or characterized by harmony.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
harmonic |
Best used when discussing music theory or complex interactions between different notes and sounds. Can also apply to broader contexts like physics.
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melodic |
Used specifically when describing sequences of notes that are particularly tuneful and pleasant to listen to. It emphasizes the melody rather than harmony.
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consonant |
Ideal when talking about sounds that are in agreement or fit well together, both in music and more abstract contexts like ideas or relationships. This term often implies a state of harmony.
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tuneful |
Best used when describing music or sounds that are pleasant, catchy, and easy to sing along with. Often used in a more casual or everyday context.
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Examples of usage
- The choir sang in perfect harmonic blend.
- The pianist played a series of harmonic chords.
physics
A wave having a frequency that is an integral multiple of a fundamental frequency.
Synonyms
overtones, partials, resonances.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
harmonic |
This word is repeated. Refer to the context and examples of the first 'harmonic'. |
overtones |
Use in music to describe additional frequencies that are multiples of the fundamental frequency, adding to the richness and complexity of a sound.
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partials |
Typically used in music and acoustics to refer to any component of a sound, including both harmonic and inharmonic components. More technical term than 'overtones'.
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resonances |
Commonly used in both physics and music to describe the phenomenon where a system naturally amplifies frequencies that match its own natural frequencies.
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Examples of usage
- Sound waves are made up of multiple harmonics.
- The harmonic oscillator is an important concept in physics.
mathematics
A number which is a multiple of a given number without a remainder.
Synonyms
divisible, evenly divisible, multiple.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
harmonic |
Use when referring to harmonic sequences or proportions, often in mathematics, music, or physics. It denotes a relationship where elements are combined in a way that is pleasing or consistent.
|
multiple |
Use when referring to a number that is the product of one number and an integer. It is common in mathematical and everyday contexts to describe quantities.
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divisible |
Use when describing a number that can be divided by another number without leaving a remainder. This is a basic term in arithmetic and is useful in mathematical contexts.
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evenly divisible |
Specify when a number can be divided by another number exactly, with no remainder. This term emphasizes the precise, complete division, often used in more technical or detailed mathematical discussions.
|
Examples of usage
- 15 is a harmonic of 5.
- The concept of harmonic mean is used in statistics.
Translations
Translations of the word "harmonic" in other languages:
🇵🇹 harmônico
🇮🇳 हार्मोनिक
🇩🇪 harmonisch
🇮🇩 harmonis
🇺🇦 гармонічний
🇵🇱 harmoniczny
🇯🇵 調和的な (ちょうわてきな)
🇫🇷 harmonique
🇪🇸 armónico
🇹🇷 harmonik
🇰🇷 조화로운 (jo-hwa-roun)
🇸🇦 متناغم
🇨🇿 harmonický
🇸🇰 harmonický
🇨🇳 和谐的 (héxié de)
🇸🇮 harmoničen
🇮🇸 samhljóða
🇰🇿 үйлесімді
🇬🇪 ჰარმონიული (harmoniuli)
🇦🇿 harmonik
🇲🇽 armónico
Etymology
The word 'harmonic' originates from the Greek word 'harmonikos', meaning 'skilled in music'. It was first used in the 16th century to describe musical tones that are pleasing when heard together. Over time, the term expanded to physics and mathematics to represent related concepts of frequency multiples and mathematical proportions. Today, 'harmonic' is widely used across various fields to denote relationships of harmony and proportion.