timbre

American  

[tam-ber, tim-, tan-br^uh] / ˈtæm bər, ˈtɪm-, ˈtɛ̃ brə /

noun

1. Acoustics, Phonetics. the characteristic quality of a sound, independent of pitch and loudness, from which its source or manner of production can be inferred. Timbre depends on the relative strengths of the components of different frequencies, which are determined by resonance.

2. Music. the characteristic quality of sound produced by a particular instrument or voice; tone color.

3. characteristic tone of expression.

   the masterful rhythm and timbre of his writing.

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timbre British  

/ ˈtæmbə, tɛ̃brə, ˈtɪmbə /

noun

1. phonetics the distinctive tone quality differentiating one vowel or sonant from another

2. music tone colour or quality of sound, esp a specific type of tone colour

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Etymology

Origin of timbre

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English tymbre, from Middle French “clapperless bell, bell rung by a hammer,” from Old French “small drum, drum,” from Latin tympanum “timbrel, drum,” from Greek týmpanon “timbrel, kettledrum, drum”

Example Sentences

In her best quotable moments, she seamlessly infuses her sometimes shrill timbre with a dash of Southern drawl.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

She repeats this claim with each painting, sometimes with a quasireligious timbre.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

"We have that same timbre but I've had to work on the way he speaks."

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2025

Recorded in large part during the band’s sojourn to New Orleans, the record positively brims with energy and musical timbre.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2025

Imitating this sound on a small gong or drumhead will approximate the type of play with timbre that is required.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Related Words

• accent
• inflection
• intonation
• overtone
• resonance
• tonality