tone-deaf

American  

[tohn-def] / ˈtoʊnˌdɛf /

adjective

1. unable to distinguish differences in pitch in musical sounds when producing or hearing them.

2. unable to perceive public sentiment, attitudes, or preferences.

   The council’s politically tone-deaf plan would cost lower income residents $100 a year.

3. lacking emotional insight; insensitive or unsympathetic to others.

   She is often tone-deaf to her daughter’s needs.

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tone-deaf British  

adjective

1. unable to distinguish subtle differences in musical pitch

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Usage

What does tone-deaf mean? Tone-deaf is used literally in the context of music to describe a person who is unable to distinguish between different pitches in tone or sound, as in I’m tone-deaf, so I have trouble singing the right notes.  Tone-deaf is commonly used in a (sometimes playfully) critical way to describe a bad or inexperienced singer, whether or not they are actually unable to distinguish differences in sound. Tone-deaf is also used figuratively to describe a person who ignores or seems to be oblivious to public sentiment or preferences, especially when they do something that offends or upsets a large number of people. It’s also commonly used to describe the actions or words of such people, as in After months of resident complaints about noise violations in the neighborhood, the planning commission’s vote to allow a new nightclub to be built seemed completely tone-deaf. Tone-deaf is especially applied in cases in which a person is insensitive or uncaring about the emotions or hardships of other people, as in The athlete apologized for his insensitive, tone-deaf comments about fans from impoverished neighborhoods. The noun form of tone-deaf is tone deafness (note that it isn’t usually spelled with a hyphen), as in The movie was universally panned due to its tone deafness in depictions of the war.

Other Word Forms

• tone deafness noun

Etymology

Origin of tone-deaf

First recorded in 1890–95

Explanation

Someone who's tone-deaf has trouble telling the difference between musical notes. Being tone-deaf makes it hard to fully enjoy music. While a person who hears the pitch of music in a normal way can distinguish between a higher and a slightly lower note, a tone-deaf person might not be able to hear any difference. Being tone-deaf can actually be medically diagnosed, although people who are tone-deaf can usually hear perfectly well otherwise. Since the condition is genetic, if you're tone-deaf you probably have a parent or grandparent who's also tone-deaf.

Example Sentences

Telling your friend, “Oh, you’re so much better off; it’s miserable here,” might seem supportive, but it is actually tone-deaf and infuriating.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 2, 2026

"His tone-deaf leadership shows a complete disregard for the human element and is actively harming both American Airlines and the people who keep it running every day."

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

As these tone-deaf lines indicate, Flanner was a gifted writer but not a political seer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026

In the wake of that immense crime, this distraction rates as a tone-deaf misdemeanor.

From Salon • Nov. 6, 2025

Baba’s horribly tone-deaf, and Mama can barely carry a tune.

From "Amina's Voice" by Hena Khan