unison
B2Neutral to formal. Common in musical, academic, and professional contexts; less common in casual conversation.
Definition
Meaning
The state of being perfectly synchronized or simultaneous in action, sound, or opinion.
In music, the sounding of the same note by two or more instruments or voices at the same pitch or in octaves. Figuratively, complete agreement or harmony.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word strongly implies a singular, unified action or sound, not just general agreement. It suggests alignment in time and form. The phrase "in unison" is the predominant usage, rarely used as a standalone noun.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. The word is used identically in both varieties. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Slightly more formal/technical in both varieties, with a strong association with music and orchestrated group activities.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties. Perhaps slightly more common in British English in formal/choral contexts, but negligible difference.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[to do something] in unisonin unison with [someone/something]a unison of [voices/opinion]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In perfect unison”
- “To move/sing/act in unison”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to departments or teams working in a coordinated, synchronized manner toward a common goal.
Academic
Used in discussions of social movements, political agreement, or philosophical harmony.
Everyday
Most commonly used to describe people speaking or singing together at the same time.
Technical
A precise musical term for voices/instruments singing/playing the same pitch line.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A - 'unison' is not used as a verb.
American English
- N/A - 'unison' is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A - The adverbial form is the phrase 'in unison'.
American English
- N/A - The adverbial form is the phrase 'in unison'.
adjective
British English
- N/A - 'unison' is not used as a standard adjective.
American English
- N/A - 'unison' is not used as a standard adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children sang the song in unison.
- They all said 'hello' in unison.
- The committee acted in unison to pass the new rule.
- The choir began the piece in perfect unison.
- The protesters raised their placards in unison, creating a powerful visual impact.
- For the plan to succeed, all departments must work in unison.
- The diplomatic response from the alliance members was delivered in near-unison, signalling a unified front.
- The complex passage was played in unison by the entire string section, requiring immense precision.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a UNI (one) SON (sound). A 'unison' is ONE SOUND made by many.
Conceptual Metaphor
AGREEMENT IS HARMONY / COOPERATION IS SYNCHRONIZED MOVEMENT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with "унисон" as it's a rare, high-register cognate. More natural equivalents are "в унисон" (adverbial phrase), "единодушно", or "хором" (for speech/song).
Common Mistakes
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'a unison voice' instead of 'a voice in unison'). Forgetting the preposition 'in' (e.g., 'They spoke unison' is incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'in unison'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'unison' is primarily a noun. The adjectival concept is expressed by the phrase 'in unison'.
Yes, it can refer to two or more voices, instruments, or parties acting/sounding together.
In music, 'unison' means singing/playing the same notes. 'Harmony' involves singing/playing different, complementary notes simultaneously.
Yes, 'perfect unison' is a common collocation emphasizing exact synchronization.