orchestral

adjective

or·​ches·​tral ȯr-ˈke-strəl 

1

: of, relating to, or composed for an orchestra

2

: suggestive of an orchestra or its musical qualities

orchestrally

ȯr-ˈke-strə-lē 

adverb

Examples of orchestral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Alexandre Desplat’s score, meanwhile, toggles awkwardly between a pale imitation of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ melancholic lo-fi electronica in the previous film, and the ennobling orchestral themes that mark the filmmaker’s happier place. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

On the other side of the scale, the all-out live music experience featuring Sacramento orchestral and choral performers runs twice every Saturday evening until the end of the residency. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

The album folded electronic textures, orchestral flourishes, studio experimentation and huge melodies into songs that wrestled with politics, mortality, love, fear and the strange business of being alive. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 30 Sep. 2026

The orchestral season holds four programs, one more than last season. — Deborah Martin, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1779, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for orchestral

• ancestral
• kestrel

Kids Definition

orchestral

adjective

or·​ches·​tral ȯr-ˈkes-trəl 

: of, relating to, or written for an orchestra