timbre

[ tam-ber, tim-; French tan-bruh ]

noun

1. Acoustics, Phonetics. the characteristic quality of a sound, independent of pitch and loudness, from which its source or manner of production can be inferred. Timbre depends on the relative strengths of the components of different frequencies, which are determined by resonance.
2. Music. the characteristic quality of sound produced by a particular instrument or voice; tone color.
3. characteristic tone of expression:

   the masterful rhythm and timbre of his writing.

timbre

/ ˈtæmbə; tɛ̃brə; ˈtɪmbə /

noun

1. phonetics the distinctive tone quality differentiating one vowel or sonant from another
2. music tone colour or quality of sound, esp a specific type of tone colour

Word History and Origins

Origin of timbre¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English tymbre, from Middle French “clapperless bell, bell rung by a hammer,” from Old French “small drum, drum,” from Latin tympanum “timbrel, drum,” from Greek týmpanon “timbrel, kettledrum, drum”

Word History and Origins

Origin of timbre¹

C19: from French: note of a bell, from Old French: drum, from Medieval Greek timbanon, from Greek tumpanon drum

Example Sentences

But Jones’ timbre perhaps gave voice to something universal, a sound to nobility and resplendence.

From Salon

You could converse in a limited way with Siri, whose default female-coded voice had the timbre and tone of a self-assured middle-aged hotel concierge.

From New York Times

Abela, who does her own singing and miraculously captures the vintage jazz style and timbre of Winehouse’s undeniable vocal talent, delivers a fully committed performance.

From Los Angeles Times

As Laura, O’Hara sang with a voice of fine crystal, and while her timbre was a little cloudier than it used to be, she embodied Laura’s fragile nerves and anxious self-loathing.

From New York Times

The video effects, making his drum sticks splash a rainbow, suggest his range of tone and timbre.

From New York Times

Related Words

• accent
• inflection
• intonation
• overtone
• resonance
• tonality