tone-deaf

adjective

ˈtōn-ˌdef 

1

: relatively insensitive to differences in musical pitch

2

: having or showing an obtuse insensitivity or lack of perception particularly in matters of public sentiment, opinion, or taste

The White House long ago concluded that she is aloof and politically tone-deaf …

—Michael Duffy

At the time, I wondered how such an intelligent man could be so tone-deaf to the harsh realities facing the nation …

—Peniel E. Joseph

tone deafness noun

Examples of tone-deaf in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Reddit community nearly unanimously branded the boyfriend as rude and tone-deaf. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2025

People called the scene tone-deaf, callous and insensitive. —Ani Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025

But Harrison doesn’t want anything else from his dad, scoffing at Dex’s (admittedly tone-deaf) offer of grabbing a bite. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2025

Move over, Kendall Jenner, there's a new tone-deaf ad starlet in town. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 30 July 2025

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