harmonious

/hɑːˈməʊniəs/ (bre, ipa) · /hɑːrˈməʊniəs/ (ame, ipa) · /här-ˈmō-nē-əs/ (ame, mw)

harmonious — adjective

  • harmoniouspositive
  • more harmoniouscomparative
  • most harmonioussuperlative

1. describes a combination of musical notes, instruments, or voices that are pleasa

1.形容詞B1
釋義

describes a combination of musical notes, instruments, or voices that are pleasant to listen to because they blend so well together.

例句

The church choir produced a warm, harmonious sound that drifted across the square.

collocation: harmonious sound

Mei-Lin adjusted the violin strings until each note formed a harmonious chord with the piano.

harmonious chord

同義詞
  • melodic

    focuses on the pleasant quality of the tune itself, not necessarily on multiple parts blending

  • tuneful

    informal; describes a piece of music that is easy and pleasant to sing or whistle

  • sweet-sounding

    informal; describes a gentle, soft, pleasant sound, often of a single instrument or voice

反義詞
  • discordant

    sounds jarring or clashing together

  • harsh

    rough and unpleasant to the ear

用法筆記

Commonly used with nouns describing sound produced by multiple sources — choir, orchestra, duet, chord, harmony. Less natural for a single unaccompanied instrument playing one note.

常見錯誤

❌The solo flute played a harmonious note.
✅The three flutes played a harmonious passage together.
💡harmonious implies multiple sounds blending, not a single isolated note.

2. describes a relationship, group, or situation in which people interact without c

2.形容詞B1
釋義

describes a relationship, group, or situation in which people interact without conflict, in a friendly and cooperative way.

例句

The neighbours have kept a harmonious relationship for more than fifteen years.

collocation: harmonious relationship

After weeks of debate, the team reached a harmonious agreement on the new project timeline.

同義詞
  • peaceful

    broader meaning — can also describe a quiet place or absence of noise

  • amicable

    more formal; typically used for agreements, separations, or resolutions

  • cordial

    warmly polite; describes the tone of a relationship rather than its conflict-free state

反義詞
  • hostile

    showing strong opposition or unfriendliness

  • tense

    marked by anxiety or unresolved conflict between people

  • conflict-ridden

    full of arguments and disagreement

用法筆記

Frequently used in formal contexts describing communities, international relations, workplaces, or families. Often paired with create, maintain, or promote.

常見錯誤

❌He is a very harmonious person.
✅He helps create a harmonious atmosphere in the office.
💡harmonious describes a relationship or environment, not an individual personality.

3. describes colours, flavours, shapes, or design elements that look, taste, or fee

3.形容詞B2
釋義

describes colours, flavours, shapes, or design elements that look, taste, or feel right together because each part enhances the others.

例句

The interior designer chose a harmonious palette of cream, sage green, and warm brown.

collocation: harmonious palette

Chef Mateo created a harmonious blend of spicy and sweet flavours in his signature dish.

harmonious blend

同義詞
  • balanced

    focuses on equal proportions or weights; less about aesthetic pleasure

  • compatible

    emphasises that items can coexist without clashing

  • matching

    more specific — implies things are deliberately similar in style or colour

反義詞
  • mismatched

    items that do not go together visually or functionally

  • incongruous

    so different from the surroundings that it looks out of place

用法筆記

Unlike sense 2 (people), this sense applies to non-living elements that are arranged or combined. The subject is typically a set of items (colours, flavours, shapes) or a designed space (room, garden, meal).

常見錯誤

❌This single red rose is harmonious.
✅The red roses and white lilies create a harmonious arrangement.
💡harmonious describes how things work or look together, not a single item.