3 syllables: chro, ma, tic. Stress on ma.
kroh-MAT-ik
/kroʊˈmætɪk/
chromatic is pronounced kroh-MAT-ik (/kroʊˈmætɪk/). It has three syllables (chro-ma-tic), with the stress on "ma". Chromatic describes anything related to color or color spectrum, or, in music, to notes outside the standard diatonic scale. It often implies a full range or scale of colors or pitches, including shades and tint variations. In practice, it signals a gradient or spectrum rather than a single hue or fixed set of tones.
Chromatic describes anything related to color or color spectrum, or, in music, to notes outside the standard diatonic scale. It often implies a full range or scale of colors or pitches, including shades and tint variations. In practice, it signals a gradient or spectrum rather than a single hue or fixed set of tones.
"The chromatic scale spans all twelve semitones in an octave."
"Her chromatic wardrobe reflected a bold, color-rich aesthetic."
"The chart shows chromatic changes as the light shifts."
Pronounce as /ˈkrɒ-mæ-tɪk/ in US/UK. The stress is on the second syllable: chro-MA-tic. Start with /kr/ as a consonant blend, then a short /ɒ/ like 'cot', then /mæ/ as MAE with an open mouth, and end with /tɪk/. Think ‘KROH-mat-ik’ with a clipped final /k/. For audio, search Pronounce or YouGlish for native samples.
Common errors:1) Misplacing stress to the first syllable (CR-oh-mat-ic instead of chro-MA-tic). 2) Slurring the middle vowel to /ə/ or /æ/ incorrectly; the /æ/ in /mæ/ should be a clear ash, not a schwa. 3) Overemphasizing the final /k/ or turning /t/ into a flap in rapid speech. Correction: keep the second syllable prominent, articulate /mæ/ with a crisp /æ/ and finish with a clean /tɪk/ rather than a rushed /tɪk/.
US/UK/AU share /ˈkrɒ-mæ-tɪk/ with rhoticity influencing preceding /r/ vowel quality; US often retains a tighter /ɹ/ resonance, UK may have a slightly shorter /ɒ/ and crisper /t/; AU tends toward a broader vowel sound and a more open /æ/. The overall stress pattern remains MA-tic. Minor vowel shifts occur due to vowel mergers and non-rhotic tendencies in some UK accents; listen to regional samples for subtle variations.
Difficulty arises from the three-syllable rhythm with a stressed second syllable, and the mid vowel sequence /ɒ-/ /mæ-/ that requires precise mouth opening. The initial /kr/ cluster and the final /tɪk/ demand careful release without excessive voicing. Lip rounding on /ɒ/ and tongue lowering for /æ/ can be tricky if you’re not used to adducted consonant clusters. Practice the sequence slowly, then increase tempo while keeping the middle vowel crisp.
A unique factor is preserving the strong secondary stress cue on MA while keeping a precise, short /tɪk/ at the end. Ensure the /æ/ is not reduced to a schwa; maintain a clear, short vowel before the final /t/ to avoid a slurred transition. Also, avoid blending the two consonants /k/ and /t/ into a single affricate; release each distinctly for a clean, professional sound.
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Chromatic comes from the Greek chroma, meaning color, with the suffix -atic forming adjectives. The root chroma appears in ancient Greek as chroma (color) or chrōma (color, hue). The term broadened in the 14th–15th centuries in English to describe color-related concepts and was later adopted in music to denote coloristic variation in tones. In optics and art, chromatic relates to wavelengths of light and the visual spectrum; in music, chromatic refers to notes outside the standard diatonic set, expanding harmonic color. The first known uses in English appear in the 15th–16th centuries in color-related contexts, with musical usage becoming settled in the 18th–19th centuries as theories of tonality and scale developed. The semantic shift from strictly color to color-like musical color reflects a wider metaphor of spectrum and gradation in both senses.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "chromatic" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "chromatic" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "chromatic"
-tic sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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