tenor

/ˈtɛnər/
noun
  1. The general meaning, sense, or course of something (e.g., a speech or event).
    • The tenor of the meeting was optimistic about the future.
    • The tenor of the conversation shifted when the bad news arrived.
    • I didn't catch every word, but I understood the tenor of his argument.
  2. A male singing voice between baritone and alto, or a singer with such a voice.
    • She joined the choir as a tenor because her voice was naturally high.
    • The tenor sang the high notes with great power.
    • The opera features a famous tenor in the lead role.
  3. A part written for a tenor voice in a musical composition.
    • The tenor line in this piece is very challenging.
    • The choir director assigned the tenor section to the back row.
    • He practiced the tenor part until he knew it by heart.
  4. The general course or direction of something (e.g., life or events).
    • He enjoyed the quiet tenor of his retirement.
    • The tenor of the times was one of uncertainty.
    • The even tenor of her life was disrupted by the move.
Synonyms
adjective
  1. Relating to or having the range of a tenor voice.
    • He bought a tenor saxophone for jazz band.
    • She has a tenor voice that suits folk music well.
    • The tenor part in the quartet was beautifully arranged.
What does "tenor" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean