🇬🇧🇨🇳 timbre - 音色 : English Lesson

Meaning of "timbre" ("音色"), detailed definition, and a short video lesson below.

Timbre is the special “color” or flavor of a sound that helps you tell who or what is making it, even if they play or sing the same note. For example, a piano, a violin, and a trumpet can all play the same note, but they each sound different because their timbre is different. In the same way, you can tell your friend’s voice from your teacher’s voice on the phone because their timbres are not the same.

Watch and listen to this English flashcard to understand the word in more detail, with an easy example sentence.

The school bell’s harsh timbre makes it sound like it’s furious that we had fun at recess.

The robot’s voice had a metallic timbre, like a toaster giving a weather report.

Grandpa’s singing timbre is halfway between a rooster and a broken trumpet.

My brother tried to disguise his voice, but the timbre still screamed, “Yep, that’s him!”

The clarinet’s timbre was so smooth it felt like it was buttering my ears.

On the corner, an old singer closed his eyes; his timbre was rough like weathered wood. A child bowed a cello; its timbre hummed warm. A flute answered with a thin timbre. Passersby stopped, comparing timbre to timbre, smiling as the music settled. They clapped, moved by that honest timbre.

This word is at the C2 level, which means it represents the highest mastery of English. It’s often used in specialized or highly formal contexts and helps you communicate with precision and subtlety, much like a native speaker.

Expanding your English vocabulary is one of the best ways to improve your pronunciation, spelling, and confidence in English. Watch the video above to memorize the word, understand its meaning, and see example sentences in action. Discover related words to grow your vocabulary naturally. Add words to your playlist for stress-free, effective learning—anytime, anywhere! Watch, learn, repeat.