harmonious

USAGE SUMMARY

"harmonious" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, relationship, or environment where everything is in peaceful, balanced agreement. For example: "The members of the team worked in harmonious unity to achieve their goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It would have made my work life easier to manage and more harmonious.

The Guardian - Opinion

This involvement in local governance is an important step in creating a sustainable and harmonious community, and in stark contrast to the social issues facing many people in Uganda after years of conflict and war.

The Guardian

Once one of Asia's biggest, Jaffna library was destroyed by a mob in 1981; now rebuilt, it is a harmonious place where ceiling fans whirr and polished wood glows in the sunlight as men of all ages peruse newspapers.

The Guardian - Travel

Aside from the obvious aims to go as far as they can and hopefully present a significantly more harmonious image than the explosive rebellion they managed last time out, the question of whether the World Cup needs to be part of a bigger picture preparation for the 2016 European Championship finals, which will be held in France, requires serious consideration.

The Guardian - Sport

The artists were united in opposition to the rise of fascism, determined to make a more harmonious, optimistic expression of human possibility.

The Guardian - Arts

But his involvement was not always harmonious, or even acknowledged.

The Guardian - Film

Her words, calling for forbearance and conciliation and the loosening of the knots of history, striving to create a more harmonious relationship "close as good neighbours should always be", led all the Irish papers.

The Guardian

Every night Goenka encourages us from the television screen, promising a happier, more harmonious life if we learn to welcome both pleasure and pain.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Despite the police presence outside, it could not have been more harmonious inside.

The Guardian

This was a new low point for a nation which had built its most successful team ever – the World-Cup winning team of 1998 – on a wide and apparently harmonious ethnic mix.

The Guardian - Opinion

Britain has long been rightly recognised as having a harmonious record on race relations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "harmonious" to describe situations where elements combine pleasingly or function well together. For example, you might describe a "harmonious" work environment or a "harmonious" blend of flavors.

Common error

Avoid pairing "harmonious" with adjectives that suggest conflict or discord. For example, "a disharmonious yet harmonious relationship" is contradictory. Aim for clarity by ensuring the context supports the sense of agreement or balance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "harmonious" is as a descriptive adjective. It qualifies nouns by attributing a quality of agreement, balance, or pleasantness, as seen in examples provided by Ludwig, such as describing a "harmonious community" or a "harmonious relationship". Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

23%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "harmonious" effectively describes agreement, balance, or pleasing combinations, as validated by Ludwig AI. As Ludwig examples show, it is frequently used in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science contexts to convey unity and aesthetic satisfaction. To use it effectively, ensure contexts support the sense of balance or agreement. While interchangeable with synonyms like "balanced" or "unified", "harmonious" particularly emphasizes the pleasing nature of the combination. Avoid pairing it with conflicting adjectives to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in agreement

Focuses on the state of concord or consensus among parties.

in accord

Highlights a state of agreement or conformity, often in formal contexts.

balanced

Emphasizes equilibrium and proportion among different elements.

consonant

Stresses agreement or compatibility, especially in music or abstract ideas.

compatible

Indicates the ability of different things to exist or occur together without conflict.

unified

Highlights the state of being joined together into one entity.

coordinated

Emphasizes the organized and efficient arrangement of different parts.

symmetrical

Focuses on the balanced arrangement of identical parts on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane.

melodious

Specifically refers to pleasant-sounding musical qualities.

proportionate

Indicates a correct or suitable relationship in size or amount between different things.

FAQs

How can I use "harmonious" in a sentence?

You can use "harmonious" to describe relationships, environments, or combinations that are pleasing and balanced. For instance, "They maintained a "harmonious relationship" despite their differences" or "The room was decorated in "harmonious colors"".

What are some synonyms for "harmonious"?

Alternatives include "balanced", "compatible", and "unified". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "harmonious society"?

Yes, "harmonious society" is a common phrase, often used to describe a community where different groups coexist peacefully and work together effectively. It's frequently used in political and social contexts.

What's the difference between "harmonious" and "harmonic"?

"Harmonious" generally refers to a pleasing agreement or balance in a broader sense, while "harmonic" specifically relates to musical sounds or mathematical ratios that are pleasing when combined. A "harmonious" relationship is balanced, while a "harmonic" series of notes is musically consonant.