tone-deaf

adjective

ˈtōn-ˌdef 

1

: relatively insensitive to differences in musical pitch

2

sometimes offensive : having or showing an obtuse insensitivity or lack of perception particularly in matters of public sentiment, opinion, or taste see usage paragraph at deaf entry 1

tone deafness noun

Examples of tone-deaf in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This comes after recent reports that Wintour has been trying to deal with the criticism, a lot of it coming from people calling the gala tone-deaf and inappropriate considering the cultural moment. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 4 May 2026

In a cultural moment when flaunting a designer bag feels tone-deaf, food provides perfect cover. —Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026

In a cultural moment when flaunting a designer bag feels tone-deaf, food provides perfect cover. —Patrick Van Esch, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026

Among career staff, however, she was viewed as out of touch, tone-deaf and politically loyal to the president alone. —Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tone-deaf

• chef
• clef
• deaf
• ref

Kids Definition

tone-deaf

adjective

ˈtōn-ˌdef

: not noticing small differences in musical pitch

Medical Definition

tone-deaf

adjective

ˈtōn-ˌdef 

: relatively insensitive to differences in musical pitch

tone deafness noun