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Glite Dictionary
timbre

timbre

8 8.2
The special tone that makes voices or instruments sound different
  • noun
  • /ˈtɪmbər/
  • Specialized
: timbre
  • Elementary school children are good at pinpointing contrasts in timbre, tempo, dynamics, articulation, and register.
  • dynamics and timbre
  • instrument timbre
  • rhythm and timbre

They're they're pulling on neural threads of emotion based on either timbre or cadence or something that's independent of the word structure.

Examples

  • But listening to the sad, uncertain timbre of her voice ruins his focus.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • "Why would he do that?" His voice roughened in timbre as it lowered in pitch.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Ask the students to discuss how timbre affects the emotional content of the music.

    Academic text (2011)

  • His reply came in a tone, timbre, and pitch I had no problem interpreting.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • The students will also explore the importance of instrument or vocal timbres to musical styles and artists.

    Academic text (2011)

  • We know what pianissimo sounds like; we know the timbre of a bassoon.

    Academic text (2011)

  • I must say, Madame Deveraux has a lovely timbre, Great homogeneity of tone.

    The Dead (1987)

  • Expressive qualities such as timbre, tempo, and dynamics are also viewed as content areas for study.

    Academic text (2015)

  • A music-teaching implication is that children of all ages are primed to learn about timbre discrimination.

    Academic text (2015)

  • The singer's unique timbre captivated the audience during her performance.

Synonyms

tone
vstimbre
166 4.1

The pitch of a syllable that changes a word's meaning in languages like Mandarin

focuses on the distinguishing quality independent of pitch or loudness
quality
vstimbre
  • Specialized
17 6.0

The particular sound a voice or instrument makes

is the specific term for that distinguishing sound characteristic in music or voice
timber
vstimbre
  • Archaic
3 7.8

The special sound of a voice or instrument that makes it different

is the idea that differentiates sounds even when pitch and loudness match
tonality
vstimbre
2 6.8

The mood of sounds, especially a voice or music

focuses on the physical sound feature that separates voices and instruments
color
vstimbre
  • Specialized
2 7.2

The quality of a musical sound that makes instruments or voices different

is the same concept described specifically for musical sound production
coloration
vstimbre
  • Specialized
1 6.7

The tone of a sound that makes instruments or voices sound different

is the precise sound feature that makes sounds different at same pitch and loudness

How Bright

brilliance
5 4.5
brightness
39 1.0
clarity
7 2.7
timbre
  • Specialized
8 8.2
warmth
121 1.0
muddiness
1 4.8
darkness
4 1.0

Surface Forms

timbre singular
timbres plural

Etymology

Timbre comes from old words for drum and bell, instruments that have their own clear sound. So timbre means the special quality or 'tone' that makes one voice or instrument sound different from another.