Skip to main content
compositional

compositional

6 7.2
Relating to how parts are arranged in a work like a painting or piece of music
  • adjective
  • /ˌkɒmpəˈzɪʃənl/
translation icon : composicional
  • In music theory class, we studied the compositional techniques used by famous composers.
  • compositional fluency
  • compositional techniques
  • compositional process

Those problems are going to be compositional in nature, like like language, like vision.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • The postsurvey data revealed that enjoyment of the project had a strong relationship with compositional quality.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Plant communities are undergoing rapid compositional and structural changes, some with no ecological antecedent.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Those problems are going to be compositional in nature, like like language, like vision.

  • Teachers can help students improve their compositional skills by showing them how to develop and test musical ideas.

    Academic text (1991)
  • There are, however, fundamental differences, not only in musical style but also in compositional method.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Using a computer as a compositional tool forces a reconsideration of basic musical skills.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Bowie's own version, recorded a few months later, revealed the song's compositional brilliance.

  • Researchers should compare the compositional process and products of groups with varied amounts of time allocated to composing.

    Academic text (2015)
  • They describe what seems to be a compositional code that links all four limbs together, potentially facilitating skill transfer.

  • The artist's latest painting demonstrates remarkable compositional balance and harmony.

Synonyms

combinatorial
vscompositional
  • Specialized
3 9.3

About the different ways things can be arranged, like the order of items, often in math

focuses on arranging elements in artistic or practical works rather than math
formational
vscompositional
6.3

About the shape or arrangement of something

relates to arranging elements in creative works rather than physical form

Surface Forms

compositional positive

Morphology

compositional = composition (transparent) = compos + ition + al

The adjective is a regular formation from 'composition' with '-al', and its meaning follows directly from the noun.

Etymology

The word compositional comes from the verb compose, made from parts com- ('together') and ponere ('to place'), the same root you see in position, so it means 'putting parts together'. That's why compositional describes how the parts of a painting, piece of music, or material are arranged.