tone-deaf
adj1
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 or a shallow or banal appreciation of music, whether or not as a result of tone deafness.
3
Colloquial, Figuratively 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, Figuratively Insensitive and offensive as a result of not noticing the current social context.
- 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.2023 May 24, Philip Galanes, “I Used a Slur for Accuracy When Repeating a Joke. Why Is Everyone Upset?”, in The New York Times:
- The campaign – which Fast Company described as “eyebrow-raising”, “controversial” and “tone-deaf” – did not land well.2024 May 21, Arwa Mahdawi, “Sex-positive feminism had its moment – and now it has been replaced by voluntary celibacy”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
- Derived terms
- tone-deafly, tone-deafness