tone-deaf

[ tohn-def ]

/ ˈtoʊnˌdɛf /

adjective

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

Words nearby tone-deaf

tone painting, tone poem, tone policing, tone row, tone up, tone-deaf, tone-setter, tone-up, toneless, toneme, toner

Origin of tone-deaf

First recorded in 1890–95

OTHER WORDS FROM tone-deaf

tone deafness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for tone-deaf

Some hated his tone-deaf assertion that he has behaved with “lightness” toward women.
DSK: the Fallout Continues|Tracy McNicoll|September 20, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The story writes itself: ‘President Proves She Is Tone-Deaf on Economy.’
Meet the First Female President|Nicolle Wallace|October 17, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Flo was not just mediocre: she was catastrophically tragic, tone-deaf, screechy and, as Randy Jackson would say, “pitchy, dawg!”
Dead Cool: Florence Foster Jenkins|Simon Doonan|July 10, 2010|DAILY BEAST
This “ surprising option” (as the tone-deaf Times headline calls it) is often viewed as caddish.
The New Unsafe Sex|Tracy Quan|July 28, 2009|DAILY BEAST

Some people are "tone-deaf," and they find it physically impossible to observe the law of contrasts.
The Story of My Life|Ellen Terry
Some people are tone-deaf, and they find it physically impossible to observe the law of contrasts.
Vocal Expression|Katherine Jewell Everts
Trilby the tone-deaf, who couldn't sing one single note in tune!
Trilby|George Du Maurier
It is easy to understand that this master of harmony possessed no charms for a tone-deaf young man.
Makers of Electricity|Brother Potamian
There are people who are colour-blind, people who are tone-deaf.
The World I Live In|Helen Keller

British Dictionary definitions for tone-deaf

tone-deaf

adjective

unable to distinguish subtle differences in musical pitch

Derived forms of tone-deaf

tone deafness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

tone-deaf

adjective

Content related to tone-deaf

Words nearby tone-deaf

Origin of tone-deaf

OTHER WORDS FROM tone-deaf

Examples from the Web for tone-deaf

British Dictionary definitions for tone-deaf

adjective

Derived forms of tone-deaf