Chromaticism
/ˌkroʊ.məˈtɪs.ɪ.zəm/noun
The use of notes outside the standard scale, or the quality of being color-related.
Did you know?Its deepest root is Greek khrōma, “color,” so the word literally carries the idea of color spilling into sound, which is why it’s used for music that feels vivid, tinted, and emotionally charged.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʰer-
“to become green, yellow, or bright; to shine”
Ancient Greek
Greek
χρῶμα (khrôma)
“color, complexion, surface appearance”
Late Greek
Greek
χρωματικός (chrōmatikós)
“of color, colorful”
16th Century
Latin/English
chromaticus
“color-related; in music, using semitones”
17th–18th Century
English
chromatic
“pertaining to color or to notes outside the diatonic scale”
19th Century
English
chromaticism
“the use of chromatic notes or harmonies, especially as a stylistic feature”
Explore more surprising origins