unison
/ˈjuːnɪsn/ (bre, ipa) · [jˈunəsən] /ˈjuːnɪsn/ (ame, ipa) · [jˈunəsən] /ˈyü-nə-sən How to pronounce unison (audio) -nə-zən/ (ame, mw)
unison — noun
- unisonsingular
- unisonsplural
1. the state in which several voices or instruments make the same note together, so
the state in which several voices or instruments make the same note together, sometimes with one part an octave above another.
During the last line, the choir sang in unison and filled the hall.
phrase: sing in unison
The violin and cello began in unison before the melody split apart.
When Adisa raised her hand, the children sang the chorus in unison.
The brass section played the opening theme in unison for extra force.
- in one voice
close in meaning for singing or speaking with the same sound
- together
broader and does not require the same pitch
- in sync
often about timing rather than exact musical pitch
文法句型
sing in unison
play in unison
用法筆記
Usually follows the preposition 'in'. This sense is stricter than simply playing together, because the parts match in pitch instead of dividing into harmony.
常見錯誤
2. the state of people or groups speaking, moving, or working at the same moment an
the state of people or groups speaking, moving, or working at the same moment and with shared purpose.
At the vote, both parties raised their hands in unison.
phrase: act in unison
The dancers turned in unison when the drumbeat changed.
Liam and Beatriz answered in unison before the teacher finished asking.
The two charities worked in unison after the storm hit the coast.
- together
the nearest everyday word, but less exact about timing
- simultaneously
more formal and focused on timing rather than shared intent
- as one
emphasizes a single shared response from many people
- separately
at different times or without matching action
- individually
one by one rather than as a group
文法句型
answer in unison
move in unison
work in unison
用法筆記
This sense also usually appears after 'in'. It can stress exact timing, close cooperation, or both, depending on whether the subject is a crowd, a pair of speakers, or an organization.
常見錯誤
unison — adjective
- unisonpositive
- more unisoncomparative
- most unisonsuperlative
1. having the same musical pitch as another part or sound.
having the same musical pitch as another part or sound.
The score opens with a unison line for both violins.
collocation: unison line
After the solo, the singers returned to a unison phrase.
The teacher asked for a unison note before adding harmony.
Their unison entry made the first chord sound bright and clean.
文法句型
a unison line
a unison entry
用法筆記
Used mainly in music writing before nouns such as 'line', 'phrase', 'entry', or 'note'. It describes matched pitch, not simply a coordinated performance.
常見錯誤
2. describing an organ stop or setting that sounds at the note's usual pitch rather
describing an organ stop or setting that sounds at the note's usual pitch rather than an octave higher or lower.
The organist used a unison stop for the plain hymn tune.
technical collocation: unison stop
This keyboard has a unison setting for practice before octave effects.
technical collocation: unison setting
Heather kept the organ on the unison register during the lesson.
The builder tested the unison pipes before the lower octave set.
- non-transposing
broader technical term for sounding at the written pitch
文法句型
a unison stop
a unison setting
用法筆記
This is a technical music term, especially in descriptions of organs and keyboard settings. It contrasts with octave or transposing settings that sound above or below the written pitch.