Dissonant

Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

/ˈdɪs.ə.nənt/ (British English), /ˈdɪs.ə.nənt/ (American English)

Definitions

• Not in harmony; disagreeing or clashing, especially in sound.
• Characterized by a lack of agreement or consistency.

Usage Examples

• The dissonant chords created an unsettling atmosphere in the symphony.
• Their dissonant opinions on the matter led to an intense debate.
• The colors in the painting were intentionally dissonant to evoke emotion.

Etymology

Derived from Latin dissonans ("disagreeing in sound"), from dissonare ("to sound apart"), combining dis- ("apart") and sonare ("to sound").

Synonyms

• Discordant
• Clashing
• Inharmonious
• Jarring
• Conflicting

Antonyms

• Harmonious
• Melodious
• Agreeable
• Concordant

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• American English: /ˈdɪs.ə.nənt/
• British English: /ˈdɪs.ə.nənt/
• Australian English: /ˈdɪs.ə.nənt/

Historical Usage

The term 'dissonant' has been used since the 15th century, primarily in music to describe sounds that create tension or discomfort when played together.

Cultural Nuances

In Western music, dissonant sounds often resolve into harmony, whereas in some Eastern traditions, dissonance is embraced as an integral part of musical expression.

More Information

The concept of dissonance extends beyond music into philosophy, literature, and psychology. In cognitive dissonance theory, it describes the discomfort felt when holding conflicting beliefs. In literature, it can be used to highlight tension between characters or themes.