# chromatic

/kɹəʊmˈætɪk/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chromatic
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

relating to the colors of light or the way colors appear in nature. In music, it describes a scale that includes all the notes between each half step.

For teachers: relating to the spectrum of colors or the perception of color; in a musical context, referring to a scale that includes all twelve notes of the octave.

## Examples

- The butterfly has beautiful chromatic wings.
- The artist used a chromatic scale to create a sense of tension and movement in the melody.
- The chromatic aberration in the lens caused a slight blurring of the edges, making the image appear less sharp than the photographer intended.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.