off-key

Translations

off-keyadjective
Hyphenated compound adjective; used both literally in music and figuratively for something discordant or inappropriate.
off-keyadverb
Hyphenated compound adverb; mainly used to describe singing or playing that is not in tune.

Definitions

off-keyadjective
Not in the correct musical pitch or tune; sounding wrong.
Her off-key singing could be heard from the next room.
Figuratively, not appropriate or not in harmony with a situation or context.
His off-key joke made the room go silent.
off-keyadverb
In a way that is not in the correct musical pitch or tune.
He sang off-key throughout the chorus.