What does symphony mean?
A symphony is a substantial musical composition written for orchestra, typically consisting of several connected movements. The term most often refers to a work of serious concert music, although it can also be used figuratively to describe a harmonious combination of sounds, voices, colors, or other impressions. In everyday language, “symphony” may suggest grandeur, richness, and coordination: a busy market might be described as “a symphony of sights and sounds.” Its historical meaning is closely connected with agreement or sounds produced together, which explains why the word carries associations of harmony and balance. The form is standard in British and American English, and the regular plural is “symphonies.” Related forms include the adjective “symphonic” and the verb “symphonize,” meaning to agree or harmonize.
A large-scale musical composition for orchestra, typically divided into several movements.
"They performed Beethoven's Fifth Symphony to a full house."
The term generally denotes a serious orchestral composition rather than a single movement or a short instrumental piece.
A harmonious combination of sounds, voices, colors, or other elements.
"The painting was a symphony of blue, gold, and violet."
This is a figurative use that emphasizes richness, harmony, and coordinated variety.
The regular plural changes the ending y to ies.
"The program included symphonies by Mozart and Beethoven."
A symphony takes its name from the Greek idea of sounds sounding together in agreement.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does symphony come from?
The word comes from Latin symphonia, a borrowing of Greek symphōnia, from sym- meaning “together” and phōnē meaning “sound” or “voice.” The Greek sense was “an agreement of sounds,” and the word entered English through Old French in the context of music and harmony. Its modern orchestral meaning developed later, while the figurative sense continues the older idea of sounds or elements agreeing together.
Related word forms
How symphony is actually used
The word is commonly used for a large-scale orchestral composition, especially one with a conventional multi-movement structure. In figurative use, it suggests a rich, coordinated, or harmonious combination of elements.
Easily confused with symphony
A symphony is a musical composition, while symphonic is an adjective describing music written for, or resembling, an orchestra.
Symphony is the standard spelling for the musical composition; simphony is an uncommon or erroneous variant.