noun

timbre

/ˈtæmbər/ · say it: TAM·bur

the characteristic quality of a sound or voice

In more detail

the quality of sound that makes one voice or instrument sound different from another, even when playing the same note at the same loudness

Examples

The violin has a warm, bright timbre, while the cello sounds deep and rich.

How to use timbre

Timbre is used in music, linguistics, and acoustics to describe the characteristic quality or texture of a sound that allows us to distinguish between different instruments or speakers producing the same pitch and volume. It emphasizes the acoustic qualities that give sound its unique character rather than pitch, duration, or loudness.

Common phrases

timbre of the voice
distinctive timbre
rich timbre
warm timbre
timbre quality

Synonyms

tone color · tone quality · color · sonority · voice

Word family

timbral (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse timbre with pitch or tone; timbre is specifically about sound quality/color, not the highness or lowness of a note (pitch) or emotional quality (tone in general usage).

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