unmusical

American  

[uhn-myoo-zi-kuhl] / ʌnˈmyu zɪ kəl /

adjective

1. not musical; deficient in melody, harmony, rhythm, or tone.

2. acoustically and aesthetically harsh on the ear; strident; dissonant; cacophonous.

3. not fond of or skilled in music.

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unmusical British  

/ ʌnˈmjuːzɪkəl /

adjective

1. not musical or harmonious

2. not talented in or appreciative of music

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Other Word Forms

• unmusically adverb
• unmusicalness noun

Etymology

Origin of unmusical

First recorded in 1600–10; un- ¹ + musical

Example Sentences

This summer, in fact, unmusical jumpy video is at all times disconcerting.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 2025

Luke Hickey is the flashiest, thrillingly so and never unmusical.

From New York Times • Jul. 23, 2023

In one, the diabetic Ivana unhesitatingly devours sweet desserts; in another, though completely unmusical, she performs an unknown violin composition like a virtuoso.

From Washington Post • Jun. 1, 2022

To prevent listeners from being disoriented by the otherwise unmusical plot suddenly switching to song, the music is always placed at the end of an episode; the same is true of Coss’ show.

From The Verge • Nov. 9, 2021

Actually, as witness his unmusical opening—“Romans, countrymen and lovers”—it’s Brutus who has the tin ear.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith