tonalité — meaning in English

English meaning

• key noun A shaped piece of metal used to open or lock a particular lock.
• tonality noun The system of seven tones built on a tonic key; the 24 major and minor scales.

Senses

tonalité is used for these senses in English:

• dial tone A telephony signal, usually in the form of a sound, used to indicate that the telephone exchange is working, has recognized an off-hook, and is ready to accept a call.
• key (music) A scale or group of pitches constituting the basis of a musical composition.
• tonality (music) The system of seven tones built on a tonic key; the 24 major and minor scales.

key — full definition

1. noun A shaped piece of metal used to open or lock a particular lock.
2. noun The single most important factor or step needed to achieve something.
3. noun One of the buttons pressed to type on a keyboard or play a musical instrument.
4. noun A short guide listing what the symbols, colours, or abbreviations on a map, chart, or test mean.
5. noun In music, the set of related notes a piece is built around, giving it its overall tonal centre.

tonality — full definition

1. noun The system of seven tones built on a tonic key; the 24 major and minor scales.
2. noun A sound of specific pitch and quality; timbre.
3. noun The quality of all the tones in a composition heard in relation to the tonic.
4. noun The interrelation of the tones in a painting.

Related French words