off-key

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He and his comrades were often forced to sing Soviet songs and were punished if they didn't sing "loud enough or sang off-key".

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

Playing on home clay in his first tournament since a three-month doping ban, Sinner overcame an off-key start before overcoming the 11th seed 1-6 6-0 6-3.

From BBC • May 16, 2025

These songs look and feel like old-Hollywood-style musical numbers, but charm because of their imperfections; characters sing off-key, they lose their breath and their voices crack.

From Salon • Dec. 7, 2024

And as for all those off-key notes, “Neither Arthur nor Lee are professional singers, and they shouldn’t sound like they are,” Gaga told Vogue.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 7, 2024

I began to walk, humming softly, and maybe it was the rhythmic movement, or my off-key tune, but the baby seemed to relax.

From "Willodeen" by Katherine Applegate