Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She sat there, arms around knees, and hummed tunelessly to herself.

From Nature • Jun. 6, 2017

In the bleak winter of 1989, as I banged away tunelessly on the keyboard in the basement of my college dorm, a stranger walked in, shivering, his face wrapped in bandages.

From Salon • Jan. 12, 2016

When Elsa speaks, she sounds like Dietrich, but when she sings onstage, she looks like the Betty White of the Weimar Republic, crooning tunelessly in a powder-blue tuxedo, yellowing perm and bright blue eye shadow.

From New York Times • Jan. 2, 2015

The birds must be careful to sing a decent song, because the fussy females are more attracted to a male with a fine voice, rather than one which chirps tunelessly.

From Forbes • Jan. 2, 2014

Fyrian settled on Xan’s shoulder and hummed tunelessly.

From "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill