euphonious

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparableformal

   Having a sound that is pleasant and smooth to hear, especially a word or phrase.

   Grammar: Used before a noun or after linking verbs like be, sound, seem: a euphonious name; the name sounds euphonious.

   Patterns

   • a euphonious word/name/phrase
   • sound/seem euphonious

   The poet chose a euphonious name for the village in her story.

   Critics praised the euphonious blend of vowels in the new brand name.

   To many listeners, Italian is a more euphonious language than German.

2. 2adjectivecomparableformalmusic

   Producing a pleasant musical sound; harmonious rather than harsh.

   Grammar: Used mainly before a noun: a euphonious chord, a euphonious melody.

   Patterns

   • a euphonious chord/melody
   • euphonious sounds

   The guitar and flute made a euphonious pair in the quiet hall.

   Her euphonious humming drifted through the open window.

Word forms

Common combinations

a euphonious name

The town changed its euphonious name to attract tourists.

sound euphonious

The phrase sounds euphonious when read aloud.

euphonious language

French is often called a euphonious language.

highly euphonious

The choir's blend was highly euphonious.

Synonyms and how they differ

melodious

Suggests a musical, tuneful quality, and is more often used of music or voices than of words.

mellifluous

Describes a sweet, flowing sound, especially a voice; it is more literary and more emphatic than euphonious.

pleasant-sounding

A plain everyday alternative that fits almost any context; euphonious is the formal, technical choice.

Opposites

Word family

euphony noun

The quality of sounding pleasant, or a pleasant combination of sounds.

euphonically adverb

In a way that sounds pleasant to the ear.

Commonly confused: euphonious or cacophonous?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “euphonious”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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