noun
dissonance
DIH-suh-nuhns
Dissonance (noun) means a harsh or unpleasant combination of sounds; lack of musical harmony. Example: “The composer used dissonance deliberately to create tension.”
noun
1
A harsh or unpleasant combination of sounds; lack of musical harmony.
"The composer used dissonance deliberately to create tension."
2
A state of disagreement or conflict between ideas, beliefs, or actions.
"Cognitive dissonance exists when a person possesses two cognitions, one of which is contradictory to the other"
— Lawrence S. Wrightsman with Kay Deaux, Social Psychology (1977)
"She felt a deep cognitive dissonance between her values and her job."
How to use dissonance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishClashing sounds, or a clash between conflicting ideas or feelings.
Common pairings
cognitive dissonance
musical dissonance
create dissonance
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Word forms
- Plural
- dissonances
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The composer used _____ deliberately to create tension.
Etymology
From Latin dissonantia, from dis- + sonare ("to sound").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for dissonance
See all rhymes for dissonance →Frequently asked questions
What does “dissonance” mean?
The word “dissonance” means a harsh or unpleasant combination of sounds; lack of musical harmony. In plain terms, clashing sounds, or a clash between conflicting ideas or feelings.
How do you pronounce “dissonance”?
“Dissonance” is pronounced DIH-suh-nuhns (/ˈdɪsənəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “dissonance” in a sentence?
Here is “dissonance” used in a sentence: “The composer used dissonance deliberately to create tension.”
What part of speech is “dissonance”?
“Dissonance” is a noun.
Where does the word “dissonance” come from?
The word “dissonance” comes from Latin. From Latin dissonantia, from dis- + sonare ("to sound").
How many meanings does “dissonance” have?
“Dissonance” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a harsh or unpleasant combination of sounds; lack of musical harmony.
