off-key
[ awf-kee, of- ]
/ ˈɔfˈki, ˈɒf- /
adjective
deviating from the correct tone or pitch; out of tune.
Informal. somewhat irregular, abnormal, or incongruous.
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PUNCTUATION QUIZ
Punctuation marks help make writing easy to read and understand. Some of the most important ones are the period (.), comma (,), question mark (?), and exclamation point (!). How well do you know how to use them? Find out in this quiz!
Question 1 of 10
Which punctuation mark is best for this sentence? "Can I watch a movie __"
Origin of off-key
First recorded in 1925–30
Words nearby off-key
off-glide, off-grid, off-hour, off-island, off-islander, off-key, off-kilter, off-label, off-licence, off-license, off-limits
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
British Dictionary definitions for off key
off key
adjective, adverb (off-key when prenominal)
music
- not in the correct key
- out of tune
out of keeping; discordant
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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