Language Pronunciation

adjective relating to speech sounds or the way they are pronounced

• The phonetic transcription of the word 'cat' is /kæt/.
• I find phonetic symbols confusing to remember.
• Some people think learning phonetics is a real pain.
• Understanding phonetics is like unlocking a secret code.

noun a way of speaking or singing in which the pitch of the voice goes up and down in a regular pattern

verb to speak or sing in a singsong manner

adjective having a rising and falling rhythm like that of a song

• The teacher used a singsong voice to help the students remember the new vocabulary words.
• She always talks in a singsong voice when she's excited about something.
• The kids were giggling and speaking in singsong voices as they played on the playground.
• The wind blew through the trees, creating a singsong melody that filled the forest.

adjective lacking sensitivity to the proper way to behave or speak

• She was considered tone deaf by her music teacher due to her inability to match pitch.
• My dad is so tone deaf, he always sings off-key when he tries to join in on karaoke.
• I can't believe she wore that outfit to the party, she must be tone deaf when it comes to fashion.
• His comments about the sensitive topic were so insensitive, it was like he was completely tone deaf to the situation.