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

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

Cassie shriek-squeals as she flicks Owen’s arm, and Nikhil starts belting out the school song, so off-key it must be on purpose.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison