tonal
UK: ˈtəʊn(ə)l | US: ˈtoʊn(ə)l
adj. relating to or having tones (musical or vocal)
adj. pertaining to tonal languages (linguistics)
adj. characterized by a particular tone or shade (color/art)
Derived from the Greek word "tonos" (tension, tone), which entered Latin as "tonus" (sound, pitch). The suffix "-al" (from Latin "-alis") transforms the noun into an adjective, indicating "related to tones." The word evolved in English to describe musical pitch, linguistic tone systems, and visual shading.
The piece has a rich tonal quality that resonates with listeners.
Mandarin is a tonal language where pitch changes alter word meanings.
The artist used a tonal palette of blues and grays for the painting.
His speech had a monotonous tonal pattern.
The piano’s tonal range was adjusted during tuning.