ˈkwɒlɪti ˈkwɑləti ˈtɪmbə ˈtɪmbɚ ˈtæmbə(ɹ) ˈtæm.bɚ təʊn toʊn (music) the distinctive property of a complex sound (a voice or noise or musical sound) the timbre of her soprano was rich and lovely the muffled tones of the broken bell summoned them to meet