# timbre

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈtæmbɹə/ · frequency rank #45,124

## Definitions
1. The quality of a sound independent of its pitch and volume.
2. The pitch of a sound as heard by the ear, described relative to its absolute pitch.
3. The crest on a (helmet atop a) coat of arms.

## Etymology
From French timbre, ultimately from Ancient Greek τύμπανον (túmpanon, “drum”). Doublet of tympanum, timpani, timbal, and tymbal.

## Easily confused with
- **time** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/timbre-vs-time)
- **tire** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/timbre-vs-tire)
- **timer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/timbre-vs-timer)
- **Timor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/timbre-vs-timor)
- **tumble** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/timbre-vs-tumble)
- **Trimble** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/timbre-vs-trimble)
- **timber** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/timber-vs-timbre)
- **Timbers** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/timbers-vs-timbre)

## Common misspellings (8)
`itmbre`, `tibmre`, `timbbre`, `timbrre`, `timmbre`, `timrbe`, `tmibre`, `ttimbre`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/timbre