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.
Three tonal stripes add interest to your look, with colorways ranging from emerald green and twilight blue to practical, goes-with-everything black. Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2025 Many of its bigger ideas focused on therapeutic conflict resolution fail to coalesce, leading to an overall tonal imbalance. Courtney Howard, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025 Zooey Deschanel likewise attended the show, while wearing a monochromatic red mod look that consisted of a mini shift dress with a Peter Pan collar, matching tights, tonal patent leather Mary Jane platforms, and a leather handbag. Marissa Muller, WWD, 26 Jan. 2025 Fall sustains many tonal expectations of the road-trip comedy and the coming-of-age tale, to startling effect, as Doe and Muna lie, steal, and wheedle their way through Turkey to reach the border. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near tonal

Cite this Entry

“Tonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tonal. Accessed 2 Feb. 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
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