ISEE/SSAT Vocabulary Builder›Words›P›polyphonic
ISEE/SSAThard
polyphonic
having multiple independent melodic lines sounding together
Synonyms
- contrapuntal
- multivoiced
Antonyms
- monophonic
polyphonic in a sentence
The choir's polyphonic arrangement wove together four separate vocal lines at once.
As the orchestra rehearsed, the conductor explained how the polyphonic texture let violins and cellos each carry a distinct tune.
Where it comes from
From Greek poly 'many' + phone 'sound, voice'
Memory hook
POLYphonic — POLY (many) + PHON (sound) — MANY SOUNDS woven together at once.
Word parts
- poly — many
polyphonic: poly- (many) + phon (sound) + -ic (relating to)
Read it in context
- Voices Across Generations Social Science
Practice polyphonic in the app