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

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

Probst’s attempts to address the incident at the reunion with a teachable moment only made the show seem more tone-deaf. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2026

Fulmer also delivers some comedic moments as Alycia, whose fast-talking frankness can be quite funny, albeit tone-deaf at times. —Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

There were people who’d never touched an instrument or were (by definition) tone-deaf, and a couple who were professional musicians. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 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