unmusical

unmusical — adjective

1. describes a sound or combination of sounds that is harsh, jarring, and lacking t

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a sound or combination of sounds that is harsh, jarring, and lacking the qualities people associate with music — for example, the screech of a rusty gate or a badly tuned instrument.

例句

The sound of the old radiator was completely unmusical, a loud clanking noise.

adjective describing harsh mechanical sound

Tariro found the dog's howling so unmusical that she had to close all the windows.

同義詞
  • discordant

    suggests a clash of notes or sounds; slightly more technical

  • harsh

    broader, can describe any rough or grating sensation, not just sound

  • tuneless

    lacking a clear melody; specific to music-like sounds

  • cacophonous

    formal or literary; describes a loud, chaotic mix of sounds

反義詞

文法句型

be + unmusical

find/consider + noun + unmusical

describe + noun + as + unmusical

用法筆記

Common with concrete nouns that refer to sounds (noise, voice, clatter, screech). The word contrasts with melodious or harmonious.

常見錯誤

❌The cake tasted unmusical.
✅The cake tasted strange.
💡unmusical only describes sounds, not other sensory experiences like taste or smell.
❌He gave an unmusical speech.
✅He gave a dull speech.
💡unmusical applies to sounds that are harsh, not to boring content.

2. lacking the ability to sing, play an instrument, or appreciate music in the way

2.形容詞B2
釋義

lacking the ability to sing, play an instrument, or appreciate music in the way that most people do — for instance, someone who cannot tell when they are singing off-key.

例句

Christopher admitted he was unmusical and could not tell when he was singing off-key.

be + unmusical (personal inability)

Despite years of piano lessons, Liang remained stubbornly unmusical and played without any feeling.

remained + unmusical (unchanging trait)

同義詞
  • tone-deaf

    specifically refers to inability to distinguish musical pitches; more common in everyday speech

  • non-musical

    neutral, factual; lacks the slightly negative tone of unmusical

  • untalented

    broader; can apply to any skill, not just music

反義詞
  • musical

    having skill or appreciation in music

  • gifted

    naturally talented, often used for musicians

文法句型

be + unmusical

feel + unmusical

describe + oneself + as + unmusical

用法筆記

Applies to people, not to sounds. Frequently follows linking verbs such as be, feel, seem, or the pattern describe —as—. Can describe either a lack of performing skill or a lack of interest in listening.

常見錯誤

❌That song is unmusical' (when meaning you dislike it).
✅I find that song unpleasant.
💡to describe a song as unmusical implies it lacks musical quality objectively, not that you personally dislike it.
❌She played the piano unmusically but with great effort.
✅Her piano playing sounded unmusical, but she tried very hard.
💡use the adjective for the resulting sound, not as an adverb for effort.