atonal

adjective

aton·​al (ˌ)ā-ˈtō-nᵊl 

(ˌ)a-

: marked by avoidance of traditional musical tonality

especially : organized without reference to key or tonal center and using the tones of the chromatic scale impartially

atonalism

(ˌ)ā-ˈtō-nə-ˌli-zəm 

(ˌ)a-

noun

atonalist

(ˌ)ā-ˈtō-nə-list 

(ˌ)a-

noun

atonality

ˌā-tō-ˈna-lə-tē 

ˌa-

noun

atonally

(ˌ)ā-ˈtō-nə-lē 

(ˌ)a-

adverb

Examples of atonal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The atmosphere is enhanced by the hand-in-hand elements of Damian Volpe’s heavy soundscape and Robin Carolan’s moody score, which ranges from symphonic grandeur to agitato strings, pipes and horns specific to the region at that time to queasy atonal groans. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Dec. 2024

Ives’s legendary status initially rested on his reputation as a maverick pioneer who supposedly had beaten Schoenberg in the race to the atonal pole. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024

This is a half-hour exploration that jazzes its way into atonal space, but Lesh never loses the groove. —Jordan Hoffman, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2024

Go-to composer Alberto Iglesias can be counted on to provide his eclectic blend of melodic orchestral and atonal avant-garde styles. —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

a- entry 2 + tonal

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

atonal

adjective

aton·​al (ˈ)ā-ˈtōn-əl 

(ˈ)a-

: being music written without traditional organization based on a scale

atonality

ˌā-tō-ˈnal-ət-ē 

noun

atonally

(ˈ)ā-ˈtōn-ə-lē 

(ˈ)a-

adverb