comes
3 synonyms for comes, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — In a fugue, the melodic answer that responds to the opening theme (the "dux"), usually entering in a different voice a few beats later.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
fugal answer
How to use comes
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
the comes answers the dux
entry of the comes
Etymology
From Latin comes, "a companion" — the same root that gives us "count" (the noble title) and the French comte and conte.
Full origin of comes →Frequently asked questions
What does “comes” mean?
The word “comes” means in a fugue, the melodic answer that responds to the opening theme (the "dux"), usually entering in a different voice a few beats later. In plain terms, a specialist music-theory term for the "answering" line that follows and imitates the main theme in a fugue.
How do you pronounce “comes”?
“Comes” is pronounced KOH-meez (/ˈkəʊmiːz/ in IPA).
How do you use “comes” in a sentence?
Here is “comes” used in a sentence: “The comes enters in the alto line, echoing the opening subject a fifth higher.”
What part of speech is “comes”?
“Comes” is a noun.
Where does the word “comes” come from?
The word “comes” comes from Latin. From Latin comes, "a companion" — the same root that gives us "count" (the noble title) and the French comte and conte.
Is “comes” a common word?
“Comes” is a very common word in modern English.
What is the difference between the comes and the dux in a fugue?
In a fugue, the 'dux' (Latin for leader) is the opening statement of the subject, the main theme. The 'comes' (companion) is the answer that follows, imitating the subject in another voice, usually a few beats later and in a different key. Dux leads, comes replies.
Is the comes the same as the fugal answer?
Yes. 'Comes' is the traditional Latin name for the answer in a fugue, the voice that responds to the opening subject by restating it, typically at a different pitch. Music theorists use 'comes' and 'answer' interchangeably, with 'answer' being the more common English term today.
Why does the comes enter in a different key?
The comes usually answers a fifth higher, or a fourth lower, than the subject, entering around the dominant. This shift sets up a satisfying tension between the two keys and creates the interweaving, imitative texture that defines a fugue. The answer may be adjusted slightly, a tonal answer, to fit the harmony.
