harmonyhar‧mo‧ny /ˈhɑːməni $ ˈhɑːr-/ ●○○ noun (plural harmonies) 
Word Origin
a choir singing in perfect harmony the gorgeous vocal harmonies on ‘Mexicali Rose’ three-part harmonies► see thesaurus at music2[uncountable] when people live or work together without fighting or disagreeing with each other: I do believe it is possible for different ethnic groups to live together in harmony.peace and harmony an era of peace and harmonylive/work etc in harmony3be in harmony with something formal to agree with another idea, feeling etc, or look good with other things: Your suggestions are not in harmony with the aims of this project.4[uncountable] the pleasant effect made by different things that form an attractive whole: the harmony of sea and sky → discordCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2adjectivesracial/social/political harmony· We aim to promote racial harmony through shared sporting activities.domestic harmony (=harmony in the home)· There was a lot of tension beneath the impression of domestic harmony.perfect harmony· As producer and director, the Coen brothers work together in perfect harmony.relative/reasonable harmony (=quite friendly and peaceful when compared to something else)· The tribes have lived together in relative harmony for years.inner harmony (=a feeling of being peaceful and calm)· His search for inner harmony led him to Buddhism.verbslive in harmony· The two friends continued to live in harmony.work in harmony· He urged all Americans to work in harmony to solve the nation’s problems.achieve harmony· If this really is a fair society, why is it taking so long to achieve racial harmony?promote harmony (=do things that help friendship or peace develop or improve)· We need to develop ways of promoting harmony between nations.create harmony· The idea is to create better harmony in the community.restore harmony (=make friendship or peace exist again)· The couple decided to put their problems behind them in an attempt to restore harmony to the family.phrasespeace and harmony· We must stop these disagreements in the interests of peace and harmony.a sense of harmony (=a feeling of friendship and peace)· There was a quiet sense of harmony between them as they walked along.
Word OriginWORD ORIGINharmony
ExamplesOrigin:
1300-1400 French harmonie, from Latin harmonia, from Greek, ‘joint, harmony’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- All first year music students are required to take a class in harmony.
- four-part harmony
- The harmonies in her symphonies are wonderfully rich.
- We sat down and talked in an effort to restore family harmony.
- A few weeks later, Christine McVie was brought in to add a few keyboard and harmony vocal parts.
- Also it promotes that holistic sense of the whole of life's experience being brought into harmony, including the discords.
- But the apparent harmony was that of a ballroom Beirut.
- In the conventional sense of the word, which conveys some sort of harmony with the natural world, it certainly was.
- Music is music: melody, harmony, rhythm and texture.
- The High Elves possess a great respect for their land and build their cities in harmony with nature as much as possible.
THESAURUS► music
Collocations the sounds made by musical instruments or people singing: · The music was really loud.
► tune the main series of musical notes in a piece of music: · a folk song with a pretty tune
► melody the main series of notes in a piece of music that has many notes being played at the same time, especially in classical music: · The soprano sang the melody.
► harmony the chords or notes in a piece of music that support the melody: · the rich harmonies in the symphony
► piece (also piece of music) an arrangement of musical notes – use this about music without words: · It’s a difficult piece to play.
► composition formal a piece of music that someone has written: · This is one of his own compositions.
► work a piece of music, especially classical music: · one of Mozart’s best-known works
► track one of the songs or pieces of music on a CD: · the album’s title track
► number a piece of popular music that forms part of a concert or show: · the show’s first number
Longman Language Activatormusic► music the sounds made by people singing or playing musical instruments, or the art and skill of writing, playing, or singing these sounds: · What kinds of music do you like?· The music was so loud you couldn't carry on a conversation.· Would you like to listen to some music?· The Royal College of Music· Did you study music at school?live music (=music that is not recorded): · The club has live music every Saturday night.rock/pop/country/classical etc music: · I've never been a big fan of country music.
► musical relating to music: · Do you play a musical instrument?· Her teachers told her she had no musical ability whatsoever.· O'Connor uses a wide variety of musical styles in his performances.
► note a single musical sound: · It is amazing how expressive she makes each note sound.· Some of the singers had a little trouble with the high notes.
► tune the main series of notes in a piece of music - use this especially when you think it is nice to listen to: · The music box plays the tune "Send in the Clowns."· I've heard that tune before, but I don't know the words to the song.
► melody the main series of notes in a piece of music that has many lines being played at the same time: · The song has a simple melody and beautiful lyrics.· Melody is not the central element in Martino's compositions - rhythm is more important.
► harmony the chords or lines of music that accompany (=support) the melody: · The harmonies in her symphonies are wonderfully rich.· All first year music students are required to take a class in harmony.
► rhythm a pattern of beats in music, that comes from the arrangement of the notes, the time between them, and the emphasis each note is given: · You need to feel the rhythm of the music in order to dance properly.· The band's music is known for its fiery Latin rhythms.
► beat the main rhythm that a piece of music has: · Jessica moved her hips to the beat of the music.· Their new song has a good beat that you can dance to.
WORD SETS► Musica cappella, adjectiveaccelerando, adjectiveaccompaniment, nounaccompanist, nounaccompany, verbaccordion, nounacid house, nounacoustic, adjectiveadagio, nounallegro, nounandante, adjectiveandante, nounanthem, nounaria, nounarpeggio, nounarr., arrange, verbarrangement, nounatonal, adjectiveback, verbbacking, nounbagpipes, nounbalalaika, nounballad, nounband, nounbandmaster, nounbandsman, nounbandstand, nounbanjo, nounbar, nounbarbershop, nounbaritone, nounbarrel organ, nounbass, nounbass, adjectivebass clef, nounbass guitar, nounbassist, nounbassoon, nounbaton, nounbeat, verbbeat, nounbebop, nounblast, verbblow, verbbluegrass, nounbolero, nounbongos, nounboogie, nounbootleg, nounbow, nounbow, verbbrass band, nounbreve, nounbridge, nounbugle, nounbusk, verbC, nouncabaret, nouncadence, nouncadenza, nouncalypso, nounC & W, canon, nouncantata, nouncanticle, nouncantor, nouncarillon, nouncarol, nouncarol, verbcastanets, nouncatchy, adjectivecellist, nouncello, nounchamber music, nounchamber orchestra, nounchant, verbchant, nounchoir, nounchoirboy, nounchoral, adjectivechorale, nounchord, nounchorister, nounchorus, nounChristmas carol, nounchromatic, adjectiveclapper, nounclarinet, nounclavichord, nounclef, nouncoda, nouncoloratura, nouncombo, nouncompose, verbcomposer, nounconcert, nounconcertgoer, nounconcertina, nounconcertmaster, nounconcerto, nounconduct, verbconductor, nounconsonant, adjectiveconsort, nouncontinuo, nouncontrabass, nouncontralto, nouncor anglais, nouncornet, nouncounterpoint, nouncountertenor, nouncountry and western, nouncountry music, nouncover, verbcover, nouncrescendo, nouncroon, verbcrotchet, nouncut, verbcymbal, nounD, noundamper, noundance, noundance band, noundemo, noundescant, noundidgeridoo, noundiminuendo, noundirge, noundisc jockey, noundiscord, noundiscordant, adjectivedissonance, nounditty, nounDixieland, noundo, noundoh, noundominant, noundouble bass, noundownbeat, noundrum, noundrum, verbdrumbeat, noundrum kit, noundrum major, noundrummer, noundrumming, noundrum-roll, noundrumstick, noundub, nounduet, noundulcimer, nounduo, nounear, nouneasy listening, nouneighth note, nounelevator music, nounencore, interjectionensemble, nounexpression, nounf., fa, nounfalsetto, nounfanfare, nounfantasia, nounfiddle, nounfiddler, nounfife, nounfinale, nounfingering, nounflat, adjectiveflat, nounflat, adverbflautist, nounfloor show, nounflourish, nounflute, nounfolk, nounfolk, adjectivefolk music, nounforte, nounforte, adjectivefortissimo, adjectiveforty-five, nounFrench horn, nounfret, nounfugue, nounfunk, nounfunky, adjectiveg, gamelan, noungig, noungig, verbglee club, nounglide, nounglockenspiel, noungong, noungospel, noungrand, noungrand opera, noungrand piano, nounGregorian chant, noungroup, nounguitar, nounhalf note, nounhalf step, nounhammer, nounhard rock, nounharmonic, adjectiveharmonica, nounharmonium, nounharmonize, verbharmony, nounharp, nounharpsichord, nounheavy metal, nounhigh, adjectivehigh-pitched, adjectivehip hop, nounhorn, nounhot, adjectivehouse music, nounhurdy-gurdy, nounhymn, nounimpressionism, nounimpressionist, nounimprovise, verbincidental music, nouninstrument, nouninstrumental, adjectiveinstrumental, nouninstrumentalist, nouninstrumentation, nouninterlude, nouninterval, nounjam, verbjam session, nounjazz, nounjazzy, adjectivejig, nounjingle, nounjungle, nounkaraoke, nounkazoo, nounkettledrum, nounkey, nounkeyboard, nounkey signature, nounla, nounlament, nounlargo, adjectiveleader, nounledger line, nounlegato, adjectiveleitmotif, nounlento, adjectivelibrettist, nounlibretto, nounlilt, nounlullaby, nounlute, nounlyre, nounlyric, adjectivelyrical, adjectivelyricism, nounlyricist, nounmadrigal, nounmaestro, nounmajor, adjectivemale-voice choir, nounmandolin, nounmaracas, nounmarch, nounmarching band, nounmariachi, nounmarimba, nounmasterclass, nounmedley, nounmellifluous, adjectivemelodic, adjectivemelodious, adjectivemelody, nounmetronome, nounmezzo-soprano, nounmi, nounmiddle C, nounminim, nounminor, adjectiveminstrel, nounminuet, nounmodal, adjectivemode, nounmoderato, adjectivemodulate, verbmolto, adverbmood music, nounmotif, nounmouth organ, nounmouthpiece, nounmovement, nounmusic, nounmusical, adjectivemusical, nounmusical instrument, nounmusically, adverbmusician, nounmusicianship, nounmusicology, nounmusic stand, nounmute, verbmute, nounMuzak, nounnational anthem, nounnatural, adjectivenatural, nounNegro spiritual, nounnocturne, nounnote, nounnumber, nounnumber one, nounnursery rhyme, nounoboe, nounoctave, nounoctet, nounoff-key, adjectiveone-man band, nounopera, nounopera house, nounoperetta, nounopus, nounoratorio, nounorchestra, nounorchestral, adjectiveorchestra pit, nounorchestrate, verborgan, nounorgan grinder, nounorganist, nounovertone, nounoverture, nounp., panpipes, nounpart, nounpart-song, nounpause, nounpeal, verbpedal, nounpeg, nounpenny whistle, nounpercussion, nounperfect pitch, nounPhilharmonic, adjectivephrase, nounphrase, verbphrasing, nounpianissimo, adjectivepianist, nounpiano, nounpiano, adjectivepianola, nounpiccolo, nounpick, verbpick, nounpipe, verbpiped music, nounpiper, nounpitch, nounpitch, verbpizzicato, nounplainchant, nounplainsong, nounplay, verbplayer, nounplayer piano, nounplectrum, nounpluck, verbpolyphony, nounpop, nounpop group, nounpop music, nounpop star, nounprelude, nounpresto, adjectivepresto, nounprima donna, nounproduction number, nounpromenade concert, nounpsaltery, nounpunk, nounquarter note, nounquartet, nounquaver, nounquintet, nounR & B, nounrag, nounraga, nounragga, nounragtime, nounrange, nounrap, nounrap, verbrapper, nounrecital, nounrecitative, nounrecord, nounrecorder, nounreed, nounrefrain, nounreggae, nounregister, nounremaster, verbrendering, nounrendition, nounrepeat, nounrequest, nounrequiem, nounresonator, nounrest, nounrhapsody, nounrhythm, nounrhythm and blues, nounrhythm section, nounriff, nounroadie, nounroad manager, nounrock, nounrock and roll, nounrock music, nounrock 'n' roll, nounrondo, nounrostrum, nounround, nounrumba, nounrun, nounsalsa, nounsamba, nounsaxophone, nounsaxophonist, nounscale, nounscat, nounscherzo, nounscore, nounscore, verbsemibreve, nounsemiquaver, nounsemitone, nounseptet, nounserenade, nounserenade, verbset, nounsetting, nounsextet, nounshanty, nounsharp, adverbsharp, nounsheet music, nounsight-read, verbsignature tune, nounsing, verbsinger, nounsinger-songwriter, nounsingle, nounsitar, nounsixteenth note, nounska, nounskiffle, nounslide, nounslur, verbslur, nounsnare drum, nounso, nounsol, nounsol-fa, nounsolo, adjectivesolo, nounsoloist, nounsonata, nounsong, nounsongbook, nounsongster, nounsongwriter, nounsoprano, nounsoprano, adjectivesoul, nounsoundtrack, nounspiritual, nounsqueezebox, nounstaccato, adverbstaff, nounstandard, nounStar-Spangled Banner, the, stave, nounsteel band, nounsteel guitar, nounstep, nounstring, verbstringed instrument, nounstrum, verbstudy, nounsuite, nounswell, nounswing, nounsymphony, nounsyncopated, adjectivesyncopation, nounsynthesis, nounsynthesize, verbsynthesizer, nountabla, nountabor, nountambourine, nountechno, nountempo, nountenor, nountenor, adjectiveTex-Mex, adjectivetheme, nounthrash, nounthrenody, nounthrob, verbti, nountimbrel, nountime, nountime signature, nountimpani, nountoccata, nountom-tom, nountonal, adjectivetonality, nountone, nountone-deaf, adjectivetone poem, nountonic, nountootle, verbtrack, nountranscribe, verbtranspose, verbtreble, nountreble, adjectivetreble clef, nountremolo, nountriangle, nountrill, nountrombone, nountrumpet, nountuba, nountune, nountune, verbtuneful, adjectivetuneless, adjectivetuning fork, nountuning peg, nounukulele, noununaccompanied, adjectiveupright piano, nounvalve, nounvariation, nounverse, nounvibes, nounvibraphone, nounvibrato, nounviola, nounviolin, nounviolinist, nounvirginals, nounvirtuoso, nounvivace, adjectivevocal, adjectivevocal, nounvocalist, nounvoice, nounvoluntary, nounwaltz, nounwarble, verbwarbler, nounwhole note, nounwind instrument, nounwoodwind, nounxylophone, nounyodel, verbyodel, nounzither, nounzydeco, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 2adjectives► racial/social/political harmony
Phrases· We aim to promote racial harmony through shared sporting activities.
► domestic harmony (=harmony in the home)· There was a lot of tension beneath the impression of domestic harmony.
► perfect harmony· As producer and director, the Coen brothers work together in perfect harmony.
► relative/reasonable harmony (=quite friendly and peaceful when compared to something else)· The tribes have lived together in relative harmony for years.
► inner harmony (=a feeling of being peaceful and calm)· His search for inner harmony led him to Buddhism.
verbs► live in harmony· The two friends continued to live in harmony.
► work in harmony· He urged all Americans to work in harmony to solve the nation’s problems.
► achieve harmony· If this really is a fair society, why is it taking so long to achieve racial harmony?
► promote harmony (=do things that help friendship or peace develop or improve)· We need to develop ways of promoting harmony between nations.
► create harmony· The idea is to create better harmony in the community.
► restore harmony (=make friendship or peace exist again)· The couple decided to put their problems behind them in an attempt to restore harmony to the family.
phrases► peace and harmony· We must stop these disagreements in the interests of peace and harmony.
► a sense of harmony (=a feeling of friendship and peace)· There was a quiet sense of harmony between them as they walked along.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► racial harmony (=when people of different races live or work together and trust each other)· Dr King's dream of racial harmony has never been fully realized.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE► perfect· Here man and nature have achieved perfect harmony.· Whatever the species, there is never perfect harmony and peace.· They sang in perfect harmony, although I dare say Alex Ferguson will complain about the pitch.· It no longer functions to modulate all the elements into perfect harmony.· Timotei Moisturiser is able to nurture the softness of your skin by working in perfect harmony with it.· If Daley was reactionary and stubborn, he was in perfect harmony with his town.· In the future, perhaps all groups will be yin and yang: in perfect harmony.· Always the sky imposes its moods and the landscape beneath responds in perfect harmony.
► racial· Local authorities also have a specific duty to carry out their functions in such a way as will promote racial harmony.· Back in class, Miss Grimhle gave a lecture on racial harmony.· The account, I consider, is not conducive to professional or racial harmony.· The centre has promoted racial harmony.· Ordinarily. the city was a model of racial harmony.· Read Charles Evers' book and hold him up as a model of racial harmony.
► social· The apparent social harmony of the mid-century could be attributed to Britain's economic success in these years.· The invisible hand merely symbolizes the true orchestrator of social harmony, the free market.· The economy consists of individuals seeking prosperity, yet most of its laws and many of its customs are about social harmony.· Why, then, is social conflict rather than social harmony escalating?· Like Marxism-Leninism, it entertains a sublime vision of human potential for social harmony and individual fulfilment.· If only children did not hold strong ideas, disagreement and conflict would evaporate in the sunshine of social harmony.
► vocal· Anderson shares the bill with Justina & Joyce, famed for their lush vocal harmonies accompanied by guitar and lap dulcimer.· Decades later, its winning vocal harmonies and spirited musical style still has a palpable impact.
VERB► achieve· Here man and nature have achieved perfect harmony.· Reconciliation implies the need to achieve harmony by making different objectives compatible.· When do we need to achieve balance and harmony within ourselves?· One of the best ways to achieve this harmony is through breathing.· I suppose it takes years for two cultures to achieve perfect harmony.
► bring· Also it promotes that holistic sense of the whole of life's experience being brought into harmony, including the discords.· On the other hand, Mozart and Bach bring harmony and lightness, as well as a state of calm and order.· It is as though the historic opponents of medieval times, the aristocrats and the guildsmen, had been brought together in harmony.
► create· Alone each musician is noise. yet with the guidance of the conductor, an orchestra creates music and harmonies.· When choosing an editor, chose an orchestra leader-an expert to help you create harmony from content and style.· It also creates an atmosphere of harmony with friends.· In Example 105 Schoenberg creates a beautifully delicate harmony, which seems to float along on a distant astral plane.
► live· Rainforest-dwelling people have learnt to live in harmony with their environment.· The house was a happier place without him, and the three of us lived together in remarkable harmony.· As a man with agricultural interests you will appreciate the importance of living in harmony with nature and of conserving the environment.· Normally solitary characters, after infection these animals lived in harmony with each other, mating and raising many pups.· At the same time Red Deer taught me to live in harmony with the animals.· But what can you do if you're not living in harmony with them?· When two parties live in harmony, neither makes much fuss and mutual dependence may pass unobserved.
► promote· Local authorities also have a specific duty to carry out their functions in such a way as will promote racial harmony.· Aren't there cheaper and more fruitful ways of promoting harmony between nations?· Nor, says Mr Imai, should they be allowed to write off the exorbitant sums they spend on promoting group-wide harmony.· The centre has promoted racial harmony.
► restore· Without women men revert to animals, without men women could heal and restore to harmony a world raped and ravaged.· Thus homoeopathy seeks to restore the organism to harmony and balance.· It can be useful to refer to something you all have in common, which may restore a feeling of harmony.· Mr Christie immediately pledged to try to restore trust and harmony to the club's warring board.
► work· Your skin asks for a gentle moisturiser that works in harmony with its own natural properties.· And yet all work in harmony and harm no one.· Timotei Moisturiser is able to nurture the softness of your skin by working in perfect harmony with it.· The last two options working in harmony make perfect sense.· With a number of teams in different departments working in harmony anything can be achieved.· But it's important to make sure all the fabrics in the different layers work in harmony together.· But John Gittins has never lost sight of the fact that man must work in harmony with nature.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► be in harmony with something
1[countable usually plural, uncountable] notes of music combined together in a pleasant wayin harmony- It helps if your mind and emotions are in harmony with it and you have the loving support of those around you.
- Our actions were in harmony with our words.
- You must be in harmony with the Sheng-Yu!
a choir singing in perfect harmony the gorgeous vocal harmonies on ‘Mexicali Rose’ three-part harmonies► see thesaurus at music2[uncountable] when people live or work together without fighting or disagreeing with each other: I do believe it is possible for different ethnic groups to live together in harmony.peace and harmony an era of peace and harmonylive/work etc in harmony3be in harmony with something formal to agree with another idea, feeling etc, or look good with other things: Your suggestions are not in harmony with the aims of this project.4[uncountable] the pleasant effect made by different things that form an attractive whole: the harmony of sea and sky → discordCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2adjectivesracial/social/political harmony· We aim to promote racial harmony through shared sporting activities.domestic harmony (=harmony in the home)· There was a lot of tension beneath the impression of domestic harmony.perfect harmony· As producer and director, the Coen brothers work together in perfect harmony.relative/reasonable harmony (=quite friendly and peaceful when compared to something else)· The tribes have lived together in relative harmony for years.inner harmony (=a feeling of being peaceful and calm)· His search for inner harmony led him to Buddhism.verbslive in harmony· The two friends continued to live in harmony.work in harmony· He urged all Americans to work in harmony to solve the nation’s problems.achieve harmony· If this really is a fair society, why is it taking so long to achieve racial harmony?promote harmony (=do things that help friendship or peace develop or improve)· We need to develop ways of promoting harmony between nations.create harmony· The idea is to create better harmony in the community.restore harmony (=make friendship or peace exist again)· The couple decided to put their problems behind them in an attempt to restore harmony to the family.phrasespeace and harmony· We must stop these disagreements in the interests of peace and harmony.a sense of harmony (=a feeling of friendship and peace)· There was a quiet sense of harmony between them as they walked along.