symphony
SIHM-fuh-nee
Symphony (noun) means a large-scale orchestral piece of music, usually in several movements. Example: “Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is one of the most recognizable pieces of classical music.”
noun
1
A large-scale orchestral piece of music, usually in several movements.
"Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is one of the most recognizable pieces of classical music."
"The orchestra performed Beethoven’s Fifth symphony."
"The orchestra spent months rehearsing the new symphony before the concert."
"She fell asleep in the hall during the third movement of the symphony."
2
A harmonious combination of sounds, colours, or elements.
"The garden was a symphony of colour in early autumn."
"The market at dawn was a symphony of smells, voices and bright stalls."
"Birdsong and rustling leaves made the forest a quiet symphony."
"She described the city at night as a symphony of lights and sounds."
How to use symphony
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large orchestral musical work — or, loosely, any pleasing combination of things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
perform a symphony
symphony orchestra
a symphony of
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Word forms
- Plural
- symphonies
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Beethoven's Fifth _____ is one of the most recognizable pieces of classical music.
Etymology
From Greek symphonia, "harmony of sound," from syn- ("together") + phone ("sound, voice").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for symphony
See all rhymes for symphony →Frequently asked questions
What does “symphony” mean?
The word “symphony” means a large-scale orchestral piece of music, usually in several movements. In plain terms, a large orchestral musical work — or, loosely, any pleasing combination of things.
How do you pronounce “symphony”?
“Symphony” is pronounced SIHM-fuh-nee (/ˈsɪm.fə.ni/ in IPA).
How do you use “symphony” in a sentence?
Here is “symphony” used in a sentence: “Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is one of the most recognizable pieces of classical music.”
What part of speech is “symphony”?
“Symphony” is a noun.
Where does the word “symphony” come from?
The word “symphony” comes from Greek. From Greek symphonia, "harmony of sound," from syn- ("together") + phone ("sound, voice").
Is “symphony” a common word?
“Symphony” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “symphony” have?
“Symphony” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large-scale orchestral piece of music, usually in several movements.
What is the difference between a symphony and an orchestra?
A symphony is a large-scale orchestral piece of music usually composed in several movements, while an orchestra is the group of musicians that performs such works. The symphony is the composition; the orchestra is the performing ensemble.
What is the difference between a symphony and a concerto?
A symphony is written for a full orchestra without a single featured soloist, while a concerto typically showcases one solo instrument accompanied by the orchestra. Both are large-scale orchestral works, but their structure and focus differ.
Can symphony be used to describe something other than music?
Yes, symphony can also describe a harmonious combination of sounds, colours, or elements outside of music, such as a 'symphony of colour' in a painting or landscape. This figurative use extends the idea of harmonious combination beyond orchestral works.
