unmusically

7.5

In a way that sounds out of tune or has bad rhythm

adverb
/ʌnˈmjuːzɪkli/

: desentonadamente

He sang unmusically, missing the notes and sounding off-key.

Examples

By contrasting the sound of sensitively played "slices" with chords that are inappropriately or unmusically short, you establish an environment that permits students to discriminate aurally.

Academic text (1990)
The band played unmusically, leaving the audience confused and disappointed.
She performed unmusically, lacking any rhythm or harmony during the recital.

Synonyms

tunelessly

vsunmusically

1 7.0

In a way that sounds wrong when someone sings or hums

refers to a wider lack of sound quality or playing ability

unmelodiously

vsunmusically

8.4

In a way that sounds unpleasant

refers to lack of sound quality or skill rather than only unpleasant tune

unharmoniously

vsunmusically

7.8

In a way that sounds or looks bad together

indicates general poor sound or low ability rather than just discord

unskillfully

vsunmusically

4.0

In a clumsy way that shows little ability

focuses on poor sound quality rather than only missing skill

Antonyms

musically

37 3.4

In a way that sounds like music

How Musical

musically

37 3.4

tunefully

4.1

harmoniously

2 4.1

unmusically

7.5

off-key

12 4.5

Surface Forms

unmusically positive

unmusicallyer comparative

unmusicallyest superlative

Morphology

unmusically = unmusical (transparent) = un + music + al + ly

The adjective 'unmusical' is a regular negative formed with productive 'un-' on 'musical', and '-ly' is a standard adverbial suffix.

Etymology

The word unmusically is made from un- meaning 'not' and musical, from music, a word that goes back to the Muses, the ancient Greek figures for art. So unmusically means 'not in a musical way', for example singing or playing that sounds wrong or without skill.