tone-deaf

English

Alternative forms
  • tone deaf

Adjective

tone-deaf (comparative more tone-deaf, superlative most tone-deaf)

  1. Unable to clearly distinguish the difference in pitch between different notes.
    Although he was tone-deaf, he was a great lyricist.
    This is a distinction unavailable to the tone-deaf.
  2. (colloquial) Having little appreciation of music, whether or not as a result of tone deafness.
  3. (colloquial) Out of touch with the experience of ordinary people.
    a politician's tone-deaf remarks about the price of bread
    The elected official's tone-deaf remarks about the operations of the clerk’s office were disappointing
  4. (colloquial) Insensitive and offensive as a result of not noticing the current social context.

Derived terms

Translations

See also
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