Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

off-key

adjective or adverb \ ˈȯf-ˈkē \

Definition of off-key

1 : varying in pitch from the proper tone of a melody
2 : irregular, anomalous

See off-key defined for English-language learners

See off-key defined for kids

First Known Use of off-key

1901

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

OFF-KEY Defined for English Language Learners

off-key

adjective

Definition of off-key for English Language Learners

  • : not in tune : above or below the proper pitch

Learn More about off-key

  1. See words that rhyme with off-key Spanish Central: Translation of off-key

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up off-key? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

notorious

play

widely and unfavorably known

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

  2. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  3. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  4. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  5. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

off-key

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a-closeup-of-a-sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games