Euphonous

/juːˈfɒnəs/ adjective

Definition

Sounding pleasant and harmonious; having a pleasing quality when heard.

Etymology

From Greek 'eu' (well) + 'phone' (sound) + '-ous' (adjective suffix). The adjective form has been in English since the 17th century to describe anything with beautiful sound qualities.

Kelly Says

Some words are just euphonous by nature—'petrichor' (the smell of rain) and 'serendipity' sound beautiful, while 'phlegm' and 'moist' jar the ear, and linguists genuinely don't fully understand why our brains find certain sound combinations more pleasant.

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