tom-tom: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal to Neutral, with technical use in music contexts.
Quick answer
What does “tom-tom” mean?
A type of drum, usually with a narrow, cylindrical body and two drumheads, traditionally played with the hands and used in many cultures.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of drum, usually with a narrow, cylindrical body and two drumheads, traditionally played with the hands and used in many cultures.
By extension, can refer to any similar drum in a modern drum kit. Also used metaphorically to describe the spreading of rumors or information in a repetitive, insistent manner.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both use the term for the drum. The metaphorical verb 'to tom-tom' (to promote noisily) is rare in both.
Connotations
Neutral for the instrument. The metaphorical use can carry a slightly negative connotation of repetitive, simplistic propaganda.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, mainly found in musical, anthropological, or historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “tom-tom” in a Sentence
beat/play + [the] tom-tom(s)the tom-tom + of + (rumour, war, news)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tom-tom” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The activists tom-tommed their message through the streets.
- News of the scandal was tom-tommed all over the village.
American English
- The company tom-tommed its achievements in the press release.
- Rumors were tom-tommed across the internet.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused. Possible in metaphorical marketing jargon: 'They tom-tommed their new product launch.'
Academic
Used in ethnomusicology, anthropology, and cultural studies to describe specific instruments.
Everyday
Rare. Most likely in discussions about music, drums, or historical films.
Technical
Standard term in percussion for a drum of specific construction; also refers to mounted drums in a drum kit.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tom-tom”
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tom-tom”
- Using 'tom-tom' as a general word for any drum (it's a specific type).
- Misspelling as 'tomtom' (hyhenated form is standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Tom-toms are typically single-headed or double-headed cylindrical drums, often part of a drum kit. Bongos are a pair of small, open-bottomed drums attached to each other, played with the hands.
Yes, but it's rare and stylistically marked. It means to promote or spread something insistently and loudly, like beating a drum.
It's a reduplicative compound, where a word or syllable is repeated (like 'bye-bye'). The hyphen is standard for such formations in English.
When used as a technical term for a specific type of drum in musical or academic contexts, it is generally neutral. However, using it in a clichéd or stereotypical way to represent 'primitive' cultures would be inappropriate. Sensitivity depends entirely on context.
A type of drum, usually with a narrow, cylindrical body and two drumheads, traditionally played with the hands and used in many cultures.
Tom-tom is usually informal to neutral, with technical use in music contexts. in register.
Tom-tom: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɒm tɒm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɑːm tɑːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “beat the tom-tom (for something) = to promote something vigorously and publicly.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the repetitive sound 'TOM-tom, TOM-tom' that this drum makes, which is also its name.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS DRUMMING (e.g., 'tom-tomming the news').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'tom-tom' LEAST likely to be used?