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Tuneless Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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tuneless

[ˈtuːnləs ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

musical quality

Tuneless refers to a lack of melody or musicality in sound or performance. It describes something that is not pleasing to the ear and may be harsh or dissonant. This term is often used to characterize singing or playing an instrument that lacks harmony or rhythm.

Synonyms

discordant, dissonant, off-key, unmelodious.

Examples of usage

  • The tuneless singing of the crowd was difficult to ignore.
  • He attempted to play the song but it came out tuneless.
  • Her tuneless whistling was amusing to her friends.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Music Theory

  • Tuneless music can often evoke feelings of confusion or disarray, contrasting with harmonious tunes that bring joy and order.
  • Studies in sound perception suggest that humans prefer melodies that create patterns, so tuneless sounds can provoke discomfort.

Pop Culture

  • In popular media, being described as tuneless can be humorous, often seen in jokes about bad singers in movies and shows.
  • A famous singing competition reality show often features a humorous segment for tuneless contestants, emphasizing the strangeness of their pitches.

Psychology

  • Research shows that listening to tuneless sounds can affect mood positively or negatively, depending on the context or emotional connection to music.
  • People often find comfort in familiar tunes; when faced with tuneless sounds, it might lead to feelings of unease or a desire for familiar melodies.

Literature

  • Tunelessness can be a motif in literature to depict chaos or emotional turmoil, contrasting with harmonious themes.
  • In poetry, the absence of rhyme or rhythm often creates a tuneless effect, reflecting disarray or a break from traditional forms.

Origin of 'tuneless'

Main points about word origin

  • The word combines 'tune,' which refers to a melody, and 'less,' meaning without, tracing back to Old English.
  • In the 14th century, the term began to appear in literature, often used to describe music that lacked rhythm or melody.

The word 'tuneless' is formed from the root word 'tune' combined with the suffix '-less'. The term 'tune' originates from the Old French word 'ton', meaning 'sound or tone', which itself traces back to the Latin 'tonus', meaning 'tone, pitch'. The suffix '-less' indicates the absence of something, thereby transforming 'tune' into 'tuneless', effectively meaning 'without tune'. The usage of 'tuneless' in the English language highlights the aesthetic values of melody and harmony in music, as well as in vocal performances. Its emergence can be pinpointed to the development of musical terms in the English language from the late Middle Ages onwards, as music began to hold a central place in cultural and social life.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,782, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.