Pronunciation: [ˈɒfkɪ] (IPA) 
The word "offkey" is spelled as it sounds, with the stress on the first syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription for "offkey" is /ɒfkiː/. The first sound is the low back rounded vowel /ɒ/, followed by the voiceless bilabial plosive /f/. The third sound is the long "e" vowel sound /iː/. The word "offkey" means singing or playing a note that is out of tune. It is commonly used in musical contexts to refer to a mistake in pitch or tuning.
Offkey, also spelled off-key, is an adjective that refers to something being out of tune or not produced at the correct pitch or musical tone. This musical term is commonly used to describe a performance or a note that is sung or played in a way that is slightly or significantly different from the intended pitch. When something is offkey, it lacks the accuracy and precision that is expected in harmonic music.
Furthermore, offkey can also be employed metaphorically to describe people or things that are out of sync, dissonant, or not in harmony with a particular situation or context. In this sense, it implies a lack of conformity or alignment. For instance, if someone exhibits offkey behavior, it suggests that their actions, attitudes, or opinions do not match the expectations or norms of a social or professional setting.
Offkey can be used both literally and figuratively, depending on the context. In the realm of music, it refers to being out of tune, while in other contexts, it pertains to being incongruous or incompatible. Whether in a melodic sense or a metaphorical one, being offkey indicates a deviation from the desired or expected harmony, resulting in a jarring or unpleasing effect.
The word "offkey" is composed of two elements: "off" and "key".
The term "off" comes from the Middle English word "of", which means "away" or "from". It has Old English and Germanic roots. Over time, "of" evolved into "off" in English, retaining its general meaning of separation or deviation.
The word "key" originates from the Old English word "cǣg", meaning "a device for opening a lock". This word has Germanic origins and is related to the Old High German word "chaozza" and the Old Norse word "ká", with the same meaning.
Bringing these elements together, "offkey" emerged in the early 20th century as a compound word to describe a musical term. It refers to singing or playing a musical note that is not in tune or not according to the intended key.
