timbre

American  

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

noun

• timbres
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• timbres
  plural

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”

Explanation

Timbre is a word that describes the tone or unique quality of a sound. If you play the same note on a piano and on a guitar, each note will have its own timbre. Though an electric saw has its own timbre, as does the sound of a tree whooshing through the air, don't confuse timbre with "Timber!," the word you shout when chopping down trees. Timbre comes from the Greek word that means drum, and it is pronounced "TAM-burr," not "TIM-burr." Timber stems from an Old English word for building materials.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

timbre timbres

As Selim, the visiting Turk who catches Fiorilla’s eye, bass Vincent Graña had pitch and rhythm issues, and the grating timbre of Kresley Figueroa’s big, agile soprano undercut her depiction of Fiorilla.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

From the very first notes the deep yet soaring timbre of the song, part of a new generation of Cape Verdean music, sparks applause.

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026

That provided direct evidence that touch itself plays a causal role in shaping timbre, rather than simply accompanying other musical effects like loudness or tempo.

From Science Daily ● May 28, 2026

After six seasons, the reliable classical-music series “Now Hear This” was probably due changes in tempo, timbre and/or orchestration.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 30, 2026

But the timbre of Lily’s voice calms me just the same.

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson

The results showed that listeners consistently recognized the intended timbres.

From Science Daily ● May 28, 2026

Strayhorn’s inspired 15-minute arrangement of “Mood Indigo” moves through three keys, shifting timbres, and even a turn into waltz time.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 16, 2026

Online, many fans marveled at the song’s ability to replicate the timbres and cadences of its real-life counterparts.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 18, 2023

In an interview, Blanchard tipped his hat to an early teacher, the composer Roger Dickerson, who used timbres and modes from American jazz when writing classical works like the New Orleans Concerto.

From New York Times ● Apr. 9, 2023

So why do different instruments have different timbres?

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Related Words

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