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

After Hegseth gave us his version of news headlines, he performed a brief off-key song and dance before skating out of the room having accomplished little and settling nothing.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

That moment when Jake sings an off-key version of “...Baby One More Time” is “burned into my frontal cortex,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2024

True to Caray, it appealed to the masses for being endearingly off-key.

From New York Times • Aug. 4, 2023

It was only moments later that she heard off-key humming and saw a girl marching between the trees, a spear in one hand.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray