tone-deaf

English

Alternative forms

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.
    • 2023 May 24, Philip Galanes, “I Used a Slur for Accuracy When Repeating a Joke. Why Is Everyone Upset?”, in The New York Times‎:
      Otherwise, saying “N-word” is plenty accurate; I knew exactly what you meant. And arguing for your need to use an explosive term, when a common euphemism will do, makes you seem defensive and tone-deaf.

Derived terms

Translations

See also
This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.