Meaning 1
Simultaneous action or speech performed together.
Reach for it when Describing people moving, speaking, or responding at the same moment.
At the conductor's nod, the children breathed in unison.
Meaning 2
The same musical pitch sounded by multiple voices or instruments.
Reach for it when Using the precise musical term for a shared note rather than harmony.
The melody began in unison before opening into four parts.
| Meaning 1 | Meaning 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| everyday |
| |
| professional |
| |
| formal | ||
| literary |
everyday
Fits when plain simultaneous action is enough
Not when does not imply exact timing
formal
in concert
Fits when coordinated action serves a shared aim
Not when does not require everyone acting identically
literary
as one
Fits when collective action should feel vivid and united
Not when can imply agreement rather than simultaneity
professional
octaves
Fits when voices sing equivalent notes at different registers
Not strict unison under every musical convention
professional
same pitch
Fits when musical precision matters more than style
Not when an explanatory phrase rather than a performance term
formal
monophony
Fits when a single melodic line is the technical feature
Not when can include one performer, unlike unison
in unison
The rowers leaned forward in unison as the bell sounded.
speak in unison
The class will speak in unison for the final line.
sing in unison
The altos sing in unison before dividing at the refrain.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated
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