German word

Tenor

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈteːnoːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • masculine noungist

Example

Der Tenor der Diskussion war unklar.

The gist of the discussion was unclear.

Illustration for Tenor (gist)

More examples

Trotz verschiedener Ansichten fanden die Redner schnell einen gemeinsamen Tenor.

Although their views differed, the speakers quickly found a common thread.

Core concept

A steady line running through a discussion or report and holding its separate statements together.

Common phrases

  • einen gemeinsamen Tenor finden

    find a common thread

  • auf einen Tenor hinauslaufen

    come down to one central point

Similar words

Tendenz: A general tendency toward a particular course or development.
Richtung: The way in which movement, development, or thought is oriented.
Schwerpunkt: The main area of emphasis within a subject or issue.
Kern: The central and most significant part of a matter.

Definition in German

Die grundsätzliche Tendenz oder das Kernthema, das aus Äußerungen oder Berichten erkennbar wird.

Word origin

Tenor comes from Latin tenor, meaning a course or continuity, from tenere, 'to hold', and later developed musical and figurative senses.

Usage tips

  • Tenor is masculine: der Tenor, des Tenors, with the plural die Tenöre.

Other meanings

  • tenornoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word