off 'key
1off-key — {adj.}, {informal} 1. Not proper; queer. * /When George told jokes at the funeral, everyone thought his action was off key./ 2. In a false key. * /John always sings off key./ Compare: OUT OF LINE …
2off-key — {adj.}, {informal} 1. Not proper; queer. * /When George told jokes at the funeral, everyone thought his action was off key./ 2. In a false key. * /John always sings off key./ Compare: OUT OF LINE …
3off-key — adj music that is off key sounds unpleasant because it is played slightly above or below the correct ↑pitch →in tune ▪ The band sounded slightly off key. >off key adv ▪ Someone upstairs was singing off key …
4off-key — adj. & adv. Deviating from the proper pitch; of a musical note or series of notes; as, an off key note; to sing off key. Syn: false, sour. [WordNet 1.5] …
5off-key — (adj.) 1920, from OFF (Cf. off) (adv.) + musical sense of KEY (Cf. key) (n.1). Figurative sense is from 1943 …
6off-key — adjective, adverb music or singing that is off key does not sound good because the notes are slightly wrong …
7off-key — [adj] not harmonious abnormal, anomalous, clinker*, deviant, discordant, dissonant, divergent, inharmonious, irregular, jarring, out of keeping*, out of tune*, sour*, sour note*, unnatural; concept 594 Ant. concordant, harmonious, on key …
8off-key — ► ADJECTIVE & ADVERB 1) Music not in the correct key or of the correct pitch. 2) inappropriate …
9off-key — off′ key′ adj. 1) cvb deviating from the correct tone or pitch; out of tune 2) cvb somewhat irregular, abnormal, or incongruous • Etymology: 1925–30 …
10off-key — [ôf′kē′] adj. 1. not on the right note; flat or sharp 2. not quite in accord with what is normal, fitting, etc …
