Tone-deaf
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Part of speech adjective
Quick meaning: Tone-deaf is an adjective meaning Unable to clearly distinguish the difference in pitch between different notes.
Meaning
Unable to clearly distinguish the difference in pitch between different notes.
More Meanings
- (colloquial) Having little or a shallow or banal appreciation of music, whether or not as a result of tone deafness.
- (colloquial, figurative) Out of touch with the experience of ordinary people.
- (colloquial, figurative) Insensitive and offensive as a result of not noticing the current social context.
Example Sentences
Although he was tone-deaf, he was a great lyricist.
This is a distinction unavailable to the tone-deaf.
a politician's tone-deaf remarks about the price of bread
The elected official's tone-deaf remarks about the operations of the clerk’s office were disappointing.
Synonyms for tone-deaf
Depending on context, synonyms include deaf.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include deaf, stone-deaf, timbreless, atonal, toneless, nonhearing.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.