tonal

adjective

ton·​al ˈtō-nᵊl How to pronounce tonal (audio)
Synonyms of tonalnext
1
: of or relating to tone, tonality, or tonicity
2
: having tonality
tonally
ˈtō-nᵊl-ē How to pronounce tonal (audio)
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.
But their fervor ironically winds up being counterproductive, yielding a jumbled tonal mess that feels deadly serious one moment and like parody the next. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026 In the process, American comedy went from being a writer’s medium, conceptual and self-aware, to a more tonal form that rewarded actors’ screen presence and sense of timing. — Dan Brooks, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 Ultimately Kane came to appreciate that the two versions were completely different tonal experiences. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026 There's a tricky tonal balance in treating the lawyers' gasp-inducing ruthlessness as entertaining and even amusing while also allowing its consequences to be clear. — Linda Holmes, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tonal

Word History

Etymology

tone entry 1 + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tonal was in 1776

Rhymes for tonal

See All Rhymes for tonal

Browse Nearby Words

tonadilla
tonal
tonalamatl
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tonal. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tonal

adjective
ton·​al ˈtōn-ᵊl How to pronounce tonal (audio)
: of or relating to a musical tone
tonally
-ᵊl-ē How to pronounce tonal (audio)
adverb

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