1. not relating to or characterized by harmony in music; lacking musical harmony
Usage: music theory
2. not based on or involving harmonic relationships or frequencies
Usage: technical; physics

Examples

• The composer used nonharmonic tones to create tension in the piece.
• Nonharmonic intervals can sound jarring to untrained ears.
• The bell produced nonharmonic overtones that gave it a unique timbre.
• Jazz musicians often incorporate nonharmonic notes for expressive effect.
• The nonharmonic frequencies in the signal caused interference.
• Students struggled to identify the nonharmonic elements in the chord progression.