Logo
dictionary thesaurus

semitone

noun
semi·​tone | \ ˈse-mē-ˌtōn How to pronounce semitone (audio) , ˈse-ˌmī-, -mi-\

Definition of semitone

: the tone at a half step also : half step
Other Words from semitone Get Musical With the Definition of Semitone Learn More about semitone

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from semitone

semitonic \ ˌse-​mē-​ˈtä-​nik How to pronounce semitonic (audio) , ˌse-​ˌmī-​ , -​mi-​ \ adjective
semitonically \ ˌse-​mē-​ˈtä-​ni-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce semitonically (audio) , ˌse-​ˌmī-​ , -​mi-​ \ adverb

Get Musical With the Definition of Semitone

A semitone (sometimes called a half tone or a half step) is the distance from a white key to a neighboring black key on the piano keyboard—for example, from G to G-sharp or from E to E-flat. In an octave (from G to the next G above, for instance), there are twelve semitones. Semitones are the smallest intervals that are used intentionally in almost any of the music you'll normally hear. Two semitones equal a whole tone—the distance from G up to A or from E down to D, for example.

First Known Use of semitone

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for semitone

semitone

noun
How to pronounce semitone (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of semitone

music : a difference in sound that is equal to ¹/₁₂ of an octave

See the full definition for semitone in the English Language Learners Dictionary

WORD OF THE DAY

oblige

play

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!