off-key
[ awf-kee, of- ]
/ ˈɔfˈki, ˈɒf- /
adjective
deviating from the correct tone or pitch; out of tune.
Informal.
somewhat irregular, abnormal, or incongruous.
Origin of off-key
First recorded in 1925–30
Words nearby off-key
off-glide,
off-grid,
off-hour,
off-island,
off-islander,
off-key,
off-kilter,
off-label,
off-licence,
off-license,
off-limits
British Dictionary definitions for off key
off key
adjective, adverb (off-key when prenominal)
music
- not in the correct key
- out of tune
out of keeping; discordant