Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Pleasing to the ear; having a pleasant, smooth, and melodious sound: Describes sounds, words, or speech that are agreeable and harmonious to listen to, often characterized by a lack of harshness.
   • Characterized by euphony: Pertaining to the quality of having a pleasing combination of sounds, especially in language or music.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The poet's choice of words was remarkably euphonious, making the verse a joy to recite aloud.
  • Her euphonious voice was perfect for reading bedtime stories to the children.
  • The euphonious chime of the bells echoed across the quiet valley.

Advanced Usage

• In linguistic or literary criticism: Used to describe language or style that is deliberately crafted to sound beautiful and flowing.
  • The author's euphonious prose is often cited as a key element of her enduring popularity.
• In music description: Applied to melodies, instruments, or voices that produce a sweet, agreeable sound.
  • The composer is known for his euphonious orchestral arrangements.

Variants and Related Words

• Euphony (n): The quality of being pleasing to the ear, especially through a harmonious combination of words.
  • The poet sought euphony in every line.
• Euphonically (adv): In a euphonious manner.
  • The words flowed euphonically from her lips.

Synonyms

• Melodious: Having a pleasant succession of sounds; tuneful.
• Harmonious: Forming a pleasing or consistent whole; musically concordant.
• Dulcet: (Especially of sound) sweet and soothing.
• Lilting: Having a light, pleasant, and musical rhythm.

Antonyms

• Cacophonous: Involving or producing a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
• Strident: Loud and harsh; grating.
• Discordant: Lacking harmony or agreement; clashing.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Euphonious phrase": A common collocation referring to a group of words that sound particularly pleasant together.
  • He crafted a wonderfully euphonious phrase to conclude his speech.
• "For the sake of euphony": A phrase explaining that a choice in language (like word order or word choice) was made to create a more pleasing sound.
  • The adjective was placed before the noun purely for the sake of euphony.

Adjective

1. (of speech or dialect) pleasing in sound; not harsh or strident
   • her euphonious Southern speech
2. having a pleasant sound
   • a euphonious trill of silver laughter