Tonality: meaning, definitions and examples

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tonality

[ təˈnalɪti ]

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music

The quality of a sound that is related to its pitch and intensity. In music, tonality refers to the arrangement of pitches and chords in a way that establishes a key center. It provides a sense of stability and resolution in a musical composition.

Synonyms

harmonic structure, pitch quality

Examples of usage

The tonality of the piece shifted from minor to major, creating a more uplifting mood.
The composer used tonality to convey a sense of tension and release in the music.

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linguistics

The use of pitch patterns in speech to convey meaning or emotion. Tonality in linguistics can refer to the intonation patterns, stress, and rhythm that contribute to the overall meaning of a sentence.

Synonyms

intonation, speech patterns

Examples of usage

Her tonality indicated that she was asking a question rather than making a statement.
The tonality of his voice suggested that he was upset.

Translations

Translations of the word "tonality" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tonalidade

🇮🇳 स्वर

🇩🇪 Tonart

🇮🇩 nada

🇺🇦 тональність

🇵🇱 tonacja

🇯🇵 音調 (おんちょう)

🇫🇷 tonalité

🇪🇸 tonalidad

🇹🇷 tonalite

🇰🇷 음조

🇸🇦 نغمة

🇨🇿 tonalita

🇸🇰 tonalita

🇨🇳 音调 (yīndiào)

🇸🇮 tonalnost

🇮🇸 tontegund

🇰🇿 тон

🇬🇪 ტონალობა

🇦🇿 tonallıq

🇲🇽 tonalidad

Word origin

The word 'tonality' originated from the Latin word 'tonus' meaning 'tone' or 'pitch'. It first appeared in English in the early 18th century, primarily used in music theory to describe the organization of pitches in a musical composition. Over time, the term expanded to include linguistics and the use of pitch patterns in speech. Today, 'tonality' is widely used in both music and language studies to describe the quality of sound and its impact on communication.