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[1] 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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