tone-deaf

comparative more tone-deaf · superlative most tone-deaf · alternative tone deaf

1. Unable to clearly distinguish the difference in pitch between different notes.

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

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   This is a distinction unavailable to the tone-deaf.

2. colloquialHaving little or a shallow or banal appreciation of music, whether or not as a result of tone deafness.
3. colloquialfigurativelyOut of touch with the experience of ordinary people.

   a politician's tone-deaf remarks about the price of bread

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   The elected official's tone-deaf remarks about the operations of the clerk’s office were disappointing.

4. colloquialfigurativelyInsensitive and offensive as a result of not noticing the current social context.

   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   2024 May 21, Arwa Mahdawi, “Sex-positive feminism had its moment – and now it has been replaced by voluntary celibacy”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

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   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