Definition

Noun: 1. The quality of having a pleasant, melodious, or harmonious sound; the property of sounding like music. This refers to the inherent characteristic of a sound, voice, or piece of language that is pleasing to the ear, similar to music. 2. Sensitivity to, knowledge of, or talent for music. This refers to a person's innate or developed feeling for and understanding of music, including rhythm, pitch, and expression.

Usage and Examples

• Referring to sound quality:

  • The musicality of the poet's language made his verses a joy to read aloud.
  • Even though it was just a speech, there was a remarkable musicality in her voice that captivated the audience.
  • The gentle musicality of the babbling brook provided a soothing background sound.

• Referring to a person's talent or sensitivity:

  • Her natural musicality was evident from a very young age; she could pick out melodies on the piano by ear.
  • A good dancer must possess a strong sense of rhythm and musicality.
  • The conductor praised the orchestra not just for their technique but for their deep musicality.

Advanced Usage

• "Linguistic musicality": The melodic quality of a language or a specific piece of writing.
  • The linguistic musicality of Italian is often cited as one of its most beautiful features.
• "Innate musicality": A natural, in-born talent for or sensitivity to music.
  • While technique can be taught, innate musicality is a special gift.

Variants and Related Words

• Musical (adj): Of or relating to music; having the pleasant qualities of music.
  • She has a very musical laugh.
• Musicianly (adj): Characteristic of a skilled musician.
  • His performance was noted for its musicianly phrasing.

Synonyms

• Melodiousness: The quality of having a pleasing melody.
• Harmony: The combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce a pleasing effect.
• Lyrism: An artist's expression of emotion in an imaginative and beautiful way; lyrical quality.

Antonyms

• Cacophony: A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
• Dissonance: Lack of harmony among musical notes; a tension or clash resulting from a combination of disharmonious elements.
• Atonality: Music that lacks a tonal center, or key.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Sense of rhythm: The ability to feel and move in time with a beat, a key component of musicality.
• Ear for music: The natural ability to hear and reproduce music accurately.
• Phrasing (in music): The way a musician shapes a sequence of notes, often reflecting their musicality.

Noun

1. the property of sounding like music