tenor Definition
- 1the general meaning, mood, or trend of something
- 2a singing voice between baritone and countertenor, the highest of the ordinary adult male range
Using tenor: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "tenor" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The tenor of his speech was optimistic.
Example
The tenor of the article was critical of the government's policies.
Example
He has a beautiful tenor voice.
Example
The choir is looking for a tenor to join them.
tenor Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using tenor
Example
The author kept to the tenor of the book when writing the screenplay.
strike a tenor
to adopt a particular tone or attitude
Example
The politician struck a tenor of optimism in his speech.
Example
The negative comments upset the tenor of the meeting.
Phrases with tenor
a medium-sized saxophone, pitched in B-flat, used especially in jazz and dance music
Example
He played a beautiful solo on his tenor saxophone.
a cylindrical double-headed drum that is pitched relatively high and is used in military bands and pipe bands
Example
The tenor drum adds a unique sound to the band's music.
a symbol placed on a musical staff to indicate that the notes below it are to be played or sung an octave higher than written
Example
The tenor part is written in tenor clef.
Origins of tenor
from Latin 'tenere', meaning 'to hold'
Summary: tenor in Brief
The term 'tenor' [ˈtenər] refers to the general meaning, mood, or trend of something, as in 'The tenor of his speech was optimistic.' It also denotes a singing voice between baritone and countertenor, exemplified by 'He has a beautiful tenor voice.' 'Tenor' extends into phrases like 'tenor saxophone,' and idioms like 'keep to the tenor of something,' denoting staying true to the original meaning, and 'upset the tenor of something,' implying a change in the general meaning.
