# octave

/ˈɑktɪv/ (US) · /ˈɒktɪv/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/octave
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

the distance between two musical notes where the higher note has exactly double the frequency of the lower one. It sounds like the same note but at a higher or lower pitch.

For teachers: the interval between one musical pitch and another with double its frequency. In Western music, this span encompasses eight notes of a diatonic scale.

## Examples

- She can sing across three octaves.
- The pianist played the melody in octaves to give the theme a more powerful and resonant sound.
- While most human voices span about two octaves in speech, trained vocalists can often extend their range significantly, maintaining tonal clarity even at the extreme ends of their register.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the preposition 'in' when describing how music is played or 'across' when describing range.

---

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.