atonal
UK/ei'tәunl/US
GREC2
Definitions
adj.
(of music) not written in any key; lacking a tonal center
（音乐）无调性的
Root Breakdown
Root-deriveda-up, back, again
+
-alrelating to, having the nature of
=atonal
a- (Greek 'without') + ton (tone/key) + -al (adj.) = 'without a tonal center.' Atonal music deliberately avoids settling on a tonic or key, so it sounds untethered — no home note to return to.
Root ton still carries 10 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.atonal music无调性音乐
- 2.atonal composition无调性作品
Example Sentences
- 1.
Schoenberg's atonal pieces unsettled audiences used to clear melodies.
- 2.
The film score turns atonal whenever danger appears.