Word
harmonic
Phoneticshar·mon·ic, stress on the second syllable
US/hɑɹˈmɑnɪk/
UK/hɑːmˈɒnɪk/
Definitions
01acoustics and music
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Music Technical
n. a higher, softer sound that happens at the same time as a main musical note.
n. a component frequency of a complex signal that is an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency.
“The guitar player touched the string lightly to produce a clear, ringing harmonic.”
“By lightly touching the string at its midpoint, the cellist isolated the first harmonic, producing a tone exactly one octave above the open string.”
Usage
Often used in the plural when discussing the rich quality of a sound.
Synonyms
02mathematics
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Mathematics Technical
n. a specific type of mathematical function used to study shapes or waves.
n. a function that satisfies Laplace's equation, often used in the study of potentials and spherical masses.
“The professor explained how to use a spherical harmonic to solve the physics problem.”
“The researcher applied spherical harmonics to model the gravitational potential of the irregularly shaped asteroid.”
03pleasant sounding
B2 · Upper Intermediate Music
adj. sounding very pleasant, peaceful, or beautiful together.
adj. characterised by harmony; pleasing to the ear through the combination of simultaneous notes.
“The choir filled the church with a beautiful harmonic sound.”
“The composer's later works moved away from traditional harmonic structures toward a more dissonant, experimental style.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04linguistics
C2 · Proficiency Science Technical
adj. describing how certain sounds in a word must match each other.
adj. relating to vowel harmony, where vowels within a word must belong to the same class, such as front or back vowels.
“Turkish is a language known for its harmonic vowel system.”
“The suffix changes its form to maintain harmonic balance with the root word's final vowel.”
Real-World Examples
“In the study, the researchers found that Jupiter employs multiple frequencies of plasma waves, which they call "harmonics," to counteract the solar wind's strength.” “The yearning harmonic palette and deadpan wit of the piece belies a bigger impact: these tiny windows into the lives of others conjure a feeling of being a small speck in a big universe.” Etymology
From Latin harmonicus, from Ancient Greek ἁρμονικός (harmonikós), from ἁρμονία (harmonía, “harmony”). By surface analysis, harmony + -ic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/harmonic