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Where does the word "harmony" come from? It comes from Greek harmonia, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "harmony" come from? It comes from Greek harmonia, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Harmony’s story begins in Greek: harmonia meant “agreement, musical concord.” Agreement or concord, especially in music. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as harmonie. Carried into French musical and general vocabulary. It reached English by 1300s as harmony. Settled as the English word for pleasing agreement. Today, harmony means a pleasing combination or agreement between elements.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient harmonia "agreement, musical concord", agreement or concord, especially in music.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval harmonie "agreement, musical concord", carried into French musical and general vocabulary.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s harmony "a pleasing combination or agreement", settled as the English word for pleasing agreement.