polytonality

P3O1L1Y4T1O1N1A1L1I1T1Y4

noun

The use of multiple keys in the same composition, especially by multiple instruments at the same time

Similar
polyharmonypolytonalism
OriginEnglish tonality ← Ancient Greek πολῠ́ς (polŭ́s) ← Proto-Indo-European *polh₁ús →
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Meanings

nounpolytonality (countable and uncountable, plural polytonalities)

plural polytonalities

  1. countableuncountableentertainmentThe use of multiple keys in the same composition, especially by multiple instruments at the same time

    Synonyms: polyharmony

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe use of multiple keys in the same composition, especially by multiple instruments at the same time

Similar
polyharmony

More synonyms by meaning

nounmusic that uses two or more different keys at the same time

Similar
polytonalism
Broader
music
Also see
polyharmonypolytonalism

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*pleh₁-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*polh₁ús
  3. Ancient Greekπολῠ́ς (polŭ́s)
  4. Englishpoly-
  5. Englishtonality
  6. Englishpolytonality

From poly- + tonality.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

polytonality. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/polytonality

MLA

“polytonality.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/polytonality. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “polytonality,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/polytonality.

Source: polytonality on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.