microtone: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Formal
Quick answer
What does “microtone” mean?
In music, an interval smaller than a semitone (half step), used in some non-Western and contemporary art music.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In music, an interval smaller than a semitone (half step), used in some non-Western and contemporary art music.
Rarely, can refer to a very small unit of measurement in other fields (e.g., microscopy), but this usage is extremely uncommon and often considered a contextual extension.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Purely technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English, confined to specialist musical discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “microtone” in a Sentence
[verb] + microtone (e.g., use, play, incorporate)[adjective] + microtone (e.g., quarter-tone, subtle)microtone + [prepositional phrase] (e.g., microtone in Indian music)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in musicology, ethnomusicology, and music theory papers and lectures.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in discussions of tuning systems, instrument design (e.g., microtonal guitars), and compositional techniques.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “microtone”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “microtone”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “microtone”
- Misspelling as 'micro tone' (should be one word or hyphenated: 'micro-tone').
- Confusing with 'microphone' due to similar sound.
- Using it to refer to a short duration of sound (confusion with 'micro' as a unit of time).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A quarter tone (half a semitone) is one specific type of microtone. 'Microtone' is a broader term for any interval smaller than a semitone.
No, standard pianos are tuned to equal temperament with 12 semitones per octave. Specialised pianos or digital instruments are needed to play microtones accurately.
It is integral to many musical traditions, including classical Indian, Arabic, and Turkish music, as well as in 20th/21st-century Western experimental compositions.
It is a specialised technical term. Most people encounter only the standard 12-tone system in Western popular and classical music, so the concept is not part of everyday vocabulary.
In music, an interval smaller than a semitone (half step), used in some non-Western and contemporary art music.
Microtone is usually technical / formal in register.
Microtone: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪ.krəʊ.təʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪ.kroʊ.toʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms found.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'micro' (very small) + 'tone' (musical pitch) = a very small musical pitch difference.
Conceptual Metaphor
PITCH IS A MEASURABLE SPACE; a microtone is a tiny division or step within that space.
Practice
Quiz
What is a microtone?