Definition

A musical distance between two notes that is made up of three whole steps.

Example

The composer used a tritone to create tension in the piece.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the tritone in music?

Yeah, I've read that it's a pretty unique interval.

It's interesting how it creates such a distinct sound, right?

Absolutely! The tritone really adds tension to the music.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Tritone → It is formed from "tri-" (meaning three) and "tonus" (from Greek "tonos", meaning tone). The word "tritone" refers to an interval that spans three whole tones, creating a distinct sound in music.

Memory Tip

Think of 'three' ('tri-') tones ('tonus') together — that's what makes a tritone a unique musical interval.

Visually Confused Words