word
chromaticism
kroh-MAT-ih-siz-um
kroʊˈmætɪsɪzəmListen
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Syllable breakdown
chromaticism
Dictionary meaning
In music, the use of notes not in the prevailing diatonic scale; the use of all twelve semitones of the chromatic scale to add expressive colour and tension.
History and origin
Greek — chromatikos (relating to colour); in music, refers to the use of all 12 semitones.
Common mispronunciations
KROH-mah-tis-izmkroh-mah-TIS-izm
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