polyphonic
pol-ee-FON-ik
/ˌpɒliˈfɒnɪk/
Producing many sounds simultaneously; (in music) consisting of two or more simultaneous lines of independent melody.
In music, it contrasts with 'monophonic' (one melody) or 'homophonic' (melody with chords). In literature, it refers to a story with many independent voices or viewpoints.
The story behind the word. From Greek 'poly-' and 'phōnē' (voice or sound). This is the same root found in 'telephone' and 'phonics'.
Word relationships
- contrapuntal: Contrapuntal is a more technical musical term for the same concept.
- monophonic: Consisting of a single musical line or voice.
Commonly confused with
- cacophonous: Cacophonous means harsh, discordant noise; polyphonic means multiple harmonious or independent melodies.
Word family
- polyphony (noun): The style of simultaneously combining a number of parts, each forming an individual melody.
Collocations
- polyphonic texture
- polyphonic ringtone
- polyphonic novel
Example sentences
- "The late Renaissance was the golden age of polyphonic choral music, exemplified by the works of Palestrina." Music history.
- "Dostoevsky's novels are often described as polyphonic because they give equal weight to many conflicting character perspectives." Literary theory.
Memory hook
Poly (many) + Phone (sounds). Like an old phone that could play multiple notes at once in a ringtone. Many voices.
When not to use
Don't use it just to mean 'loud' or 'noisy'. It implies a structured complexity of different sounds.
Fun facts
- Before smartphones, 'polyphonic ringtones' were a major selling point for mobile phones in the early 2000s.
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