tone
1tone
noun \ˈtōn\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 Examples of TONE
- He replied in a friendly tone.
- They spoke in hushed tones.
- Don't use that rude tone of voice with me.
- the low tones of an organ
- The speech had religious tones to it.
- The author's tone shows her attitude toward the subject.
- The professor's condescending tone irritated some students.
- a bright, dark, or light tone of blue
- the soft tones of the painting
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
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to TONE
Related Words: address, delivery, elocution; archaism, colloquialism, regionalism; acceptation, connotation, denotation, expression, idiom
Near Antonyms: achromatism
Rhymes with TONE
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