First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1tone
noun \ˈtōn\
: the quality of a person's voice
: the quality of a sound produced by a musical instrument or singing voice
: a quality, feeling, or attitude expressed by the words that someone uses in speaking or writing
Full Definition of TONE
1
: vocal or musical sound of a specific quality <spoke in low tones> <masculine tones>; especially : musical sound with respect to timbre and manner of expression
2
a : a sound of definite pitch and vibration b : whole step
3
: accent or inflection expressive of a mood or emotion
4
: the pitch of a word often used to express differences of meaning
5
: a particular pitch or change of pitch constituting an element in the intonation of a phrase or sentence <high tone> <low tone> <mid tone> <low-rising tone> <falling tone>
6
: style or manner of expression in speaking or writing <seemed wise to adopt a conciliatory tone>
7
a (1) : color quality or value (2) : a tint or shade of color b : the color that appreciably modifies a hue or white or black <gray walls of greenish tone>
8
: the effect in painting of light and shade together with color
9
a : the state of a living body or of any of its organs or parts in which the functions are healthy and performed with due vigor b : normal tension or responsiveness to stimuli; specifically : muscular tonus
10
a : healthy elasticity : resiliency b : general character, quality, or trend <a city's upbeat tone> c : frame of mind : mood
See tone defined for English-language learners
See tone defined for kids
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Origin of TONE
Middle English, from Anglo-French tun, ton, from Latin tonus tension, tone, from Greek tonos, literally, act of stretching; akin to Greek teinein to stretch — more at thin
2tone
verb
: to give strength and firmness to (something, such as muscles or skin)
tonedton·ing
Full Definition of TONE
transitive verb
1
: intone
2
: to give a particular intonation or inflection to
3
a : to impart tone to : strengthen <medicine to tone up the system> b : to soften or reduce in intensity, color, appearance, or sound : mellow —often used with down c : to change the normal silver image of (as a photographic print) into a colored image
intransitive verb
1
: to assume a pleasing color quality or tint
2
: to blend or harmonize in color
See tone defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TONE
1660
Tone
biographical name \ˈtōn\
Definition of TONE
(Theobald) Wolfe 1763–1798 Irish revolutionary
TONE Defined for Kids
1tone
noun \ˈtōn\
Definition of TONE for Kids
1
: an individual way of speaking or writing especially when used to express an emotion <He replied in a friendly tone.>
2
: common character or quality <There was a polite tone to the discussions.>
3
: quality of spoken or musical sound
4
: a sound on one pitch
5
: a shade of color <The room is decorated in soft tones.>
6
: a color that changes another <It's gray with a blue tone.>
7
: a healthy state of the body or any of its parts <He has good muscle tone.>
2tone
verb
tonedton·ing
Definition of TONE for Kids
: to give a healthy state to : strengthen <She exercised to tone up her muscles.>
— tone down
: to soften or blend in color, appearance, or sound <Can you tone down the music?>
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