Macmillan Dictionary

Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

Describing or relating to notes in the musical scale

chromatic

adjective

relating to a musical scale that uses semitones (=notes that are next to each other on a piano)

diatonic

adjective

based on a major or minor musical scale

flat

adjective

a B flat, E flat etc is a musical note that is one semitone lower than B, E etc

flat

adjective

slightly lower than the musical note that should be played or sung

major

adjective

relating to a musical scale (=fixed series of musical notes) with semitones between the third and fourth and the seventh and eighth musical notes

minor

adjective

relating to a musical scale (=fixed series of musical notes) in which the third note is a semitone lower than that of the related major scale

sharp

adverb

singing or playing musical notes that are slightly higher than they should be

tonic

adjective

relating to the first note in a musical scale

cyberloafing

using the Internet where you work, during working hours, for activities which are not work-related

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

neutrino

a particle that is smaller than an atom and has no electrical charge

Open Dictionary

show a bit of ankle

… to reveal a small part of your intentions in order to attract support, without actually committing yourself to doing anything

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog