Chromatic
/kroʊˈmætɪk/noun
Relating to color, or in music, using notes outside the standard scale.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Greek chrōma, “color,” and its musical meaning grew from the idea of “coloring” a melody with extra notes.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵʰer-
“to shine; to be bright or colored”
Ancient Greek
Greek
chrōma
“color; complexion; hue”
Ancient Greek
Greek
chrōmatikos
“pertaining to color”
Late Latin
Latin
chromaticus
“colored; relating to color”
14th Century
English
chromatike / chromatic
“relating to color or color-quality”
Modern English
English
chromatic
“relating to color, especially in music or optics”
Explore more surprising origins