tone-deaf

[ tohn-def ]

adjective

1. unable to distinguish differences in pitch in musical sounds when producing or hearing them.
2. unable to perceive public sentiment, attitudes, or preferences:

   The council’s politically tone-deaf plan would cost lower income residents $100 a year.

3. lacking emotional insight; insensitive or unsympathetic to others:

   She is often tone-deaf to her daughter’s needs.

tone-deaf

adjective

1. unable to distinguish subtle differences in musical pitch

Derived Forms

• tone deafness, noun

Other Words From

• tone deaf·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tone-deaf¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

I just found it depressingly tone deaf for a show that typically handles these sensitive issues so delicately.

From The Daily Beast

She raps with a tightly-wound drawl, one that, to American ears, feels tone-deaf not musically, but socially.

From The Daily Beast

At the time of he gave those tone-deaf remarks, the “elephant in the room” was the most-watched network on TV.

From The Daily Beast

The article goes on to say that State found the original statement "tone deaf" and in need of "major revisions."

From The Daily Beast

He seemed tone-deaf when he initially resisted releasing his tax returns.

From The Daily Beast

It is easy to understand that this master of harmony possessed no charms for a tone-deaf young man.

From Project Gutenberg

Some people are tone-deaf, and they find it physically impossible to observe the law of contrasts.

From Project Gutenberg

Trilby the tone-deaf, who couldn't sing one single note in tune!

From Project Gutenberg

But almost any one, not entirely tone-deaf, can follow a tune and almost everybody can get enjoyment out of some sort of music.

From Project Gutenberg

Some people are "tone-deaf," and they find it physically impossible to observe the law of contrasts.

From Project Gutenberg

About This Word

What does tone-deaf mean?

Tone-deaf is used literally in the context of music to describe a person who is unable to distinguish between different pitches in tone or sound, as in I’m tone-deaf, so I have trouble singing the right notes.  

Tone-deaf is commonly used in a (sometimes playfully) critical way to describe a bad or inexperienced singer, whether or not they are actually unable to distinguish differences in sound.

Tone-deaf is also used figuratively to describe a person who ignores or seems to be oblivious to public sentiment or preferences, especially when they do something that offends or upsets a large number of people. It’s also commonly used to describe the actions or words of such people, as in After months of resident complaints about noise violations in the neighborhood, the planning commission’s vote to allow a new nightclub to be built seemed completely tone-deaf. 

Tone-deaf is especially applied in cases in which a person is insensitive or uncaring about the emotions or hardships of other people, as in The athlete apologized for his insensitive, tone-deaf comments about fans from impoverished neighborhoods. 

The noun form of tone-deaf is tone deafness (note that it isn’t usually spelled with a hyphen), as in The movie was universally panned due to its tone deafness in depictions of the war.

Where does tone-deaf come from?

The first records of tone-deaf come from the 1890s. It is a combination of the words tone, meaning “a distinct musical pitch,” and deaf, meaning “partially or wholly unable to hear.” The figurative meanings of tone-deaf use a figurative meaning of deaf—“being unwilling to hear or listen to something.”

The figurative sense of tone-deaf is often used in harsh criticisms. The term implies that a person is either ignorant and out of touch with society or is uncaring and lacks empathy. Usually, tone-deaf is used to suggest a person has biases or is totally oblivious to the problems of a group or class that they are not a member of.

For example, a wealthy person is likely to be called tone-deaf if they suggest that poorer people should purchase expensive things or pursue expensive hobbies that they lack the money to pay for. A film director might be called tone-deaf for depicting a highly unpopular figure in a sympathetic light, especially in the midst of increased public criticism of such a figure.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to tone-deaf?

• tone deaf (adjective, alternate spelling)
• tone deafness (noun)
• tone-deafness (noun, alternate spelling)

What are some words that share a root or word element with tone-deaf? 

• tone
• deaf

What are some words that often get used in discussing tone-deaf?

• pitch
• music
• singing
• insensitive
• unsympathetic
• oblivious
• ignorance
• offensive

How is tone-deaf used in real life?

The figurative sense of tone-deaf is often used to describe a person as being out of touch or holding offensive or unpopular stances.

Big news day for sure but the story of pro golfer Matt Kuchar only paying his local caddie $5k from his $1.3m winner’s check shouldn’t fall by the wayside. The amount is nothing short of outrageous, as was Kuchar’s tone deaf response when questioned about it.

— Scott Wapner (@ScottWapnerCNBC) February 14, 2019

Watching some of the richest people on earth say "capitalism is bad" while sitting in their gated mansions is a whole new level of tone deaf

— Actually_Not_So_Spooky_Tina (@Actually_Tina) December 2, 2019

My Halloween glam is a take on everyone's favorite tone-deaf bard pic.twitter.com/aP8e7EvbYa

— Nika (@Nika_NikaNii) October 18, 2020

 

 

Try using tone-deaf!

Is tone-deaf used correctly in the following sentence?

The CEO was criticized for giving a tone-deaf speech that completely ignored the actual grievances of his employees.