# tenor

/ˈtɛnɝ/ (US) · /tˈɛnɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tenor
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. general mood or tone

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the general mood, character, or meaning of a conversation, piece of writing, or event.

For teachers: the general character, tone, or drift of a discourse or situation.

- The tenor of the meeting changed when the manager mentioned the budget cuts.
- The overall tenor of the report was optimistic, despite the significant challenges highlighted in the final chapters.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'of'.

### 2. singing voice

noun · CEFR B2

a high male singing voice, or a person who sings in this range.

For teachers: the highest natural adult male singing voice, typically ranging from C3 to C5.

- The choir is looking for two more tenors to join for the winter concert.
- The lead role in the opera was written specifically for a dramatic tenor with a powerful upper register.

### 3. time to maturity

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the amount of time left until a financial agreement, like a loan or bond, must be paid back.

For teachers: the time remaining until a financial instrument expires or the period of time it takes for a loan to be repaid.

- The bank offered a loan with a five-year tenor and a low interest rate.
- Investors were concerned about the long tenor of the bonds, given the current volatility in the global markets.

### 4. metaphor component

noun · CEFR C2 · Academic · Technical

in a metaphor, the actual thing you are talking about.

For teachers: the subject to which attributes are ascribed in a metaphor, distinguished from the 'vehicle' or the image used to describe it.

- In the phrase 'life is a journey', 'life' is the tenor.
- The critic argued that the tenor of the poet's metaphor was obscured by an overly complex vehicle.

### 5. relating to the tenor range

adjective · CEFR B2

describing an instrument or voice that plays or sings in the tenor range.

For teachers: pertaining to the musical range between alto and bass.

- He plays the tenor saxophone in a local jazz band.
- The composer assigned the melody to the tenor clef to accommodate the cellist's preference for the higher register.

## Examples

- The tenor of the meeting was very positive.
- The angry tenor of the debate suggested that no agreement would be reached that evening.
- While the specific details of the policy were technical, the overall tenor of the speech was one of cautious optimism regarding the nation's economic recovery.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.