For the smallest interval between adjacent notes in the Western musical scale, “semitone” is mainly UK terminology and “half step” is the usual US term.
ReviewedEvidence2 sourcesSectionEnglish Usage
Quick answer
For the smallest interval between adjacent notes in the Western musical scale, “semitone” is mainly UK terminology and “half step” is the usual US term.
Key details
Confusion Familyregional or usage vocabulary
Rule Familyvocabulary choice
Termssemitone, half step
Variant ScopeThe terms are regional equivalents for this musical interval, not general substitutes in unrelated senses.
Further guidance
Core difference
For the smallest interval between adjacent notes in the Western musical scale, “semitone” is mainly UK terminology and “half step” is the usual US term.
Fast Test
Choose the term that matches both the intended sense and the audience or register described by the dictionaries.
Usage Boundary
The terms are regional equivalents for this musical interval, not general substitutes in unrelated senses.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
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