unmusical

[ uhn-myoo-zi-kuhl ]

adjective

1. not musical; deficient in melody, harmony, rhythm, or tone.
2. acoustically and aesthetically harsh on the ear; strident; dissonant; cacophonous.
3. not fond of or skilled in music.

unmusical

/ ʌnˈmjuːzɪkəl /

adjective

1. not musical or harmonious
2. not talented in or appreciative of music

Derived Forms

• unˈmusically, adverb
• unˈmusicalness, noun

Other Words From

• un·musi·cal·ly adverb
• un·musi·cal·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unmusical¹

First recorded in 1600–10; un- ¹ + musical

Example Sentences

Luke Hickey is the flashiest, thrillingly so and never unmusical.

From New York Times

In one, the diabetic Ivana unhesitatingly devours sweet desserts; in another, though completely unmusical, she performs an unknown violin composition like a virtuoso.

From Washington Post

Bowed at any other point, the instrument reverts to being a useful, but unmusical, hand tool.

From New York Times

To prevent listeners from being disoriented by the otherwise unmusical plot suddenly switching to song, the music is always placed at the end of an episode; the same is true of Coss’ show.

From The Verge

Which is not to say that she is unmusical.

From New York Times