compositional
/ˌkɒm.pəˈzɪʃ.ən.əl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌkɑːm.pəˈzɪʃ.ən.əl/ (ame, ipa) · /¦käm-pə-¦zish-nəl -¦zi-shə-nᵊl/ (ame, mw)
compositional — adjective
- compositionalpositive
- more compositionalcomparative
- most compositionalsuperlative
1. relating to how a piece of music is created, from imagining melodies and harmoni
relating to how a piece of music is created, from imagining melodies and harmonies to writing them down as a finished work
Haruki spent a year studying compositional techniques with a famous composer in Vienna.
collocation: compositional technique
The compositional structure of this symphony is far more complex than her earlier work.
collocation: compositional structure
Mei-Lin's compositional style changed completely after she discovered jazz harmony.
Students in the masterclass analysed the compositional choices in each movement of the sonata.
What impressed the judges most was the originality of her compositional approach.
- structural
broader — can apply to buildings or arguments, not only music
- formal
focuses on the architectural shape of a work, often in academic analysis
- thematic
narrower — relates specifically to the main ideas (themes) in a piece
- improvisational
contrasts planned writing with spontaneous creation
用法筆記
Frequently paired with words such as 'technique', 'style', 'structure', and 'process'. Distinguish from 'musical' — compositional refers specifically to the craft of writing music, not the quality of sounding pleasant.
常見錯誤
2. related to the visual placement of shapes, colours, figures, and other elements
related to the visual placement of shapes, colours, figures, and other elements within a painting, photograph, or design
The artist's compositional choices draw the viewer's eye toward the woman in the window.
collocation: compositional choice
Nadia studied the compositional balance of light and shadow in Rembrandt's paintings.
collocation: compositional balance
A strong compositional framework can turn an ordinary photograph into something remarkable.
The painting course covered the basic compositional rules used by Renaissance masters.
In his later works, the painter abandoned traditional compositional plans for a freer style.
- formal
overlap exists, but 'formal' also includes colour and subject matter, not just placement
- spatial
narrower — focuses only on the use of space and position
- structural
slightly broader — can describe the underlying organisation of almost anything
- random
implies no deliberate arrangement
用法筆記
Common in art criticism, photography guides, and design textbooks. Subject is typically an artwork, photograph, or arrangement whose visual elements are being discussed.
常見錯誤
3. relating to the specific ingredients, substances, or elements that combine to ma
relating to the specific ingredients, substances, or elements that combine to make up a material, object, or mixture
The scientists analysed the compositional differences between the two rock samples.
collocation: compositional difference
Each layer of this ceramic glaze has a unique compositional formula that affects the final colour.
Kwame's research focused on the compositional structure of volcanic glass.
The compositional makeup of this alloy makes it both strong and resistant to rust.
Changes in the compositional balance of gases in the atmosphere can affect global temperatures.
- constitutive
more formal, emphasises the essential nature of the parts in forming the whole
- elemental
narrower — usually refers to chemical elements rather than general ingredients
- constituent
very close in meaning; 'constituent parts' is a set phrase
- whole
describes the complete object rather than its individual parts
用法筆記
Found predominantly in scientific and technical writing about chemistry, geology, and materials science. Frequently modified by 'chemical' (chemical compositional analysis) in formal research contexts.