Meaning of tone-deaf | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Unable to clearly distinguish the difference in pitch between different notes.
2. Having little or a shallow or banal appreciation of music, whether or not as a result of tone deafness.
   colloquial
3. Out of touch with the experience of ordinary people.
   colloquial, figuratively
4. Insensitive and offensive as a result of not noticing the current social context.
   colloquial, figuratively

Equivalents

Examples

“Although he was tone-deaf, he was a great lyricist.”

“This is a distinction unavailable to the tone-deaf.”

“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.”

“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.”

“The campaign – which Fast Company described as “eyebrow-raising”, “controversial” and “tone-deaf” – did not land well.”

CEFR level