timbre

Meaning

1. The quality of a sound independent of its pitch and volume.
2. The pitch of a sound as heard by the ear, described relative to its absolute pitch.
3. The crest on a (helmet atop a) coat of arms.

Synonyms

tone

timber

tone quality

quality

pitch

key

🔑

tone colour

musical quality

intonation

tone color

tone of voice

acoustic quality

agreement

quality of sound

attunement

color

mood

resonance

strain

style

tamber

tonality

tuning

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈtæm.bə/

Etymology

From French timbre, ultimately from Ancient Greek τύμπανον (túmpanon, “drum”). Doublet of tympanum.