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

One person hemmed in by perfectionist anxiety was invited to sing with an off-key Masli.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 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

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

From New York Times • Aug. 4, 2023

His voice is grumbly and off-key, and hearing him makes me laugh.

From "King and the Dragonflies" by Kacen Callender