What does harmony mean?
Harmony describes the state in which different people, ideas, notes, or elements agree and fit together pleasingly. In social contexts, it carries a strongly positive sense of cooperation, goodwill, and mutual understanding, as when groups work in harmony or a relationship exists in harmony. In music, harmony refers to the combination of notes and their relationships, including the progression of chords that supports a melody. The word is also used more broadly for attractive balance or order, especially in architecture, art, design, and discussions of nature. This breadth makes harmony useful whenever separate parts form a coherent and pleasing whole. Its modern associations are generally favorable, although the word can sometimes suggest an idealized smoothness that overlooks disagreement or individual difference.
A state of agreement, mutual understanding, and compatibility, especially among people or groups; also a pleasing or orderly relationship among parts of a larger whole.
"Despite their different backgrounds, the committee worked in close harmony."
The noun is common in social, political, artistic, and abstract contexts. Its usual connotation is positive, although it can occasionally imply an absence of tension rather than active cooperation.
To be in agreement or accord with something; to harmonize.
"The revised plan does not harmony with the earlier agreement."
The verb is rare and more typical of formal or British English. In most modern contexts, harmonize or harmonise is preferred.
The plural is used for separate agreements, harmonious relationships, musical chord combinations, or notable examples of balanced design.
"The composer's later works contain several striking harmonies."
From a Greek word meaning “a fitting together,” harmony has long described the pleasing result when separate parts come together as a unified whole.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does harmony come from?
Harmony was borrowed into Middle English from Old French harmonie, a word derived from Latin harmonia. Latin harmonia came from Greek harmonia, meaning a joining or fitting together and, by extension, musical consonance, and was related to Greek harmozein, “to fit together.” English later developed such related forms as harmonious, harmonic, harmonize, and harmonium, while cognates remain in languages including French, Spanish, Italian, and German.
Related word forms
How harmony is actually used
In general, harmony is strongly positive and suggests cooperation, compatibility, and mutual respect. It is appropriate in formal, literary, political, artistic, and everyday contexts. The verb is comparatively rare and formal in modern English, especially outside British usage; harmonize is usually more natural.
Easily confused with harmony
Harmony is generally a noun naming an agreement, balance, or musical combination, whereas harmonic is primarily an adjective describing something based on musical relationships or harmonics.