chromatikos

Chromatikos (Greek: χρωματικός) is a transliteration of the Greek adjective meaning color-related or chromatic. The root is chroma (color) and the suffix -ikos, forming a term used to describe things pertaining to color or color perception. In modern Greek, the word is common in discussions of color theory, visual arts, and music theory.

In music, chromatikós refers to chromatic elements—notes outside the diatonic scale, chromatic intervals, and the practice of chromaticism. The chromatic scale is typically described in Greek as χρωματική κλίμακα. The term reflects the same concept found in English, where chromaticism involves the use of pitches beyond traditional scales.

In color science and optics, the term appears in discussions of color perception, chromaticity, and color differences. It is used to distinguish color-related properties from achromatic ones, with Greek-language texts employing equivalent terms to describe chromatic attributes and color measurement.

As a proper noun, Chromatikos may appear as a surname or part of a compound name in Greek contexts when transliterated into other languages. Outside Greek-language sources, it is generally treated as a transliterated adjective rather than a standalone English term.

See also: chromatic, chromaticism, chromatic scale, Greek color theory.