Tenor Definition & Meaning

tenor
adjective
  1. (of a musical instrument) intermediate between alto and baritone or bass; "a tenor sax"
  2. of or close in range to the highest natural adult male voice; "tenor voice"
noun
  1. the adult male singing voice above baritone
  2. the pitch range of the highest male voice
  3. an adult male with a tenor voice
  4. a settled or prevailing or habitual course of a person's life; "nothing disturbed the even tenor of her ways"
  5. the general meaning or substance of an utterance; "although I disagreed with him I could follow the tenor of his argument"

"Tenor" in song lyrics

See how tenor is used in real songs:

  • "My rims chop, like a tenor"
    Chalie Boy & Tite — Swangin
  • "Not a soprano, or alto, the Rage is a tenor"
    The Lady of Rage — Big Bad Lady
  • "old man river sung by tenor"
    AOL — AOL

Usage tips for "tenor"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "tenor" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for tenor to find words that pair well.

Use "tenor" in a verse

Now that you know what "tenor" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

Generate a verse

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