tonal

adjective

ton·​al ˈtō-nᵊl How to pronounce tonal (audio)
1
: of or relating to tone, tonality, or tonicity
2
: having tonality
tonally 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.
This episode sets the risky tonal foundation on which every subsequent one is built. Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024 Cutting from a moment of extreme violence to Kiryu at the Kamurocho batting cages, while a totally authentic representation of the games, would have created a tonal whiplash that would have taken even the most diehard Yakuza fan out of the show. Ash Parrish, The Verge, 25 Oct. 2024 George Heaton said the leather motorbike jacket with a matte finish and minimal tonal branding was his favorite item in the lineup, while his brother Mike Heaton likes the canvas set, which was based on the classic trialmaster jacket and matching pants. Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 1 Nov. 2024 There are even huge tonal shifts such as a mission that dives head first into the horror genre with shades of Doom (2016) and another that is clearly lifting inspiration from Inception. Cade Onder, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tonal 

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tonal was in 1776

Dictionary Entries Near tonal

Cite this Entry

“Tonal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tonal. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

tonal

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

More from Merriam-Webster on tonal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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