diminished second

noun

an interval that is equivalent to a major second lowered by two chromatic semitones, or a minor second narrowed by a chromatic semitone. In twelve-tone equal temperament, this interval is equal to a unison, but in most other tunings, it is a distinct interval.

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Meanings

noundiminished second (plural diminished seconds)

plural diminished seconds

  1. entertainmentan interval that is equivalent to a major second lowered by two chromatic semitones, or a minor second narrowed by a chromatic semitone. In twelve-tone equal temperament, this interval is equal to a unison, but in most other tunings, it is a distinct interval.
Cite this entry
APA

diminished second. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/diminished%20second

MLA

“diminished second.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/diminished%20second. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “diminished second,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/diminished%20second.

Source: diminished second on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.