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british

tone-deaf

[ tohn-def ]

/ ˈtoʊnˌdɛf /

adjective

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

Origin of tone-deaf

First recorded in 1890–95

OTHER WORDS FROM tone-deaf

tone deafness, noun

Words nearby tone-deaf

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

Example sentences 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