tone

noun

UK /təʊn/

Word Forms

singular	tone
plural	tones

1
countable/uncountable the sound of someone’s voice that shows what they are feeling
Meredith trembled at the tenderness in his tone.
a tone of voice:
‘Really?’ Simone said in a surprised tone of voice.
Don’t you take that tone of voice with me (=don’t speak to me so rudely)!
Synonyms and related words
Tone or quality of voice
break
cadence
croak
1. 1a
  the type of sound that someone makes with their voice in a particular situation
  They were sitting close together, talking in hushed tones.
  Synonyms and related words
  Tone or quality of voice
  break
  cadence
  croak
2
singular/uncountable the general character of a place or event
The positive tone of the evening had changed completely.
set the tone (for something):
The opening remarks set the tone for the rest of the interview.
raise/lower the tone (of something):
Trust you to lower the tone of the whole conversation!
Synonyms and related words
Features and qualities
feature
quality
factor
1. 2a
  the general attitude shown by a piece of writing
  Much of his writing has a rather strident tone to it.
  in tone:
  Their next letter was more optimistic in tone.
  Synonyms and related words
  Writing or speech style
  academic writing
  delivery
  diction
3
countable/uncountable musicthe quality of the sound made by a musical instrument, voice, or piece of electronic equipment
a flute with a clear bright tone
Synonyms and related words
Musical sounds
chord
crescendo
discord
4
countable a sound made by a piece of equipment as a signal or warning
I picked up the phone and just got a beeping tone.
The answering machine said to leave a message after the tone.
the engaged tone (=the sound you hear when the number you want to telephone is being used):
I keep getting the engaged tone.
Synonyms and related words
Signals and equipment used for warning people
alarm
alarm bell
the all clear
5
countable a colour or a particular shade (=type) of a colour
a tweed coat in subtle tones of purple and green
her olive skin tone
Synonyms and related words
General words for colour and relating to colour
brightness
chromatic
col
6
countable musican amount equal to two semitones by which a musical note is higher or lower than another note
Synonyms and related words
Notes in the musical scale
A
b
bass
7
uncountable the firm or healthy quality of your body, muscles, or skin
muscle/skin tone:
The patient’s general muscle tone is good.
Synonyms and related words
General words for health
health
condition
fitness
8
countable/uncountable linguisticsthe degree to which the sound of a word or part of a word is high or low
You use a rising tone in English to indicate a question.
Synonyms and related words
Terms in phonetics
affricate
alveolar
articulator

tone

noun

US /toʊn/

Word Forms

singular	tone
plural	tones

1
countable/uncountable the sound of someone’s voice that shows what they are feeling
Meredith trembled at the tenderness in his tone.
a tone of voice:
“Really?” Simone said in a surprised tone of voice.
Don’t you take that tone of voice with me (=don’t speak to me so rudely)!
Synonyms and related words
Tone or quality of voice
break
cadence
croak
1. 1a
  the type of sound that someone makes with their voice in a particular situation
  They were sitting close together, talking in hushed tones.
  Synonyms and related words
  Tone or quality of voice
  break
  cadence
  croak
2
singular/uncountable the general character of a place or event
The positive tone of the evening had changed completely.
set the tone (for something):
The opening remarks set the tone for the rest of the interview.
raise/lower the tone (of something):
Trust you to lower the tone of the whole conversation!
Synonyms and related words
Features and qualities
feature
quality
factor
1. 2a
  the general attitude shown by a piece of writing
  Much of his writing has a strident tone to it.
  in tone:
  Their next letter was more optimistic in tone.
  Synonyms and related words
  Writing or speech style
  academic writing
  delivery
  diction
3
countable/uncountable musicthe quality of the sound made by a musical instrument, voice, or piece of electronic equipment
a flute with a clear bright tone
Synonyms and related words
Musical sounds
chord
crescendo
discord
4
countable a sound made by a piece of equipment as a signal or warning
I picked up the phone and just got a beeping tone.
Synonyms and related words
Signals and equipment used for warning people
alarm
alarm bell
the all clear
5
countable a color or a particular shade (=type) of a color
a plaid skirt in subtle tones of purple and green
her olive skin tone
Synonyms and related words
General words for color and relating to color
brightness
chromatic
color
6
countable musican amount equal to two half steps by which a musical note is higher or lower than another note
Synonyms and related words
Notes in the musical scale
A
b
bass
7
uncountable the firm or healthy quality of your body, muscles, or skin
muscle/skin tone:
The patient’s general muscle tone is good.
Synonyms and related words
General words for health
health
condition
fitness
8
countable/uncountable linguisticsthe degree to which the sound of a word or part of a word is high or low
You use a rising tone in English to indicate a question.
Synonyms and related words
Terms in phonetics
affricate
alveolar
articulator

tone

verb

UK /təʊn/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	tone
he/she/it	tones
present participle	toning
past tense	toned
past participle	toned

1

tone
or
tone up
transitive to make your body, muscles, or skin more firm and healthy
She quickly and efficiently cleansed, toned, and moisturized her face.
I’m taking an aerobics class to help tone my muscles.
Synonyms and related words
To get better after an illness
recovery
survive
recover
2

tone
or
tone in
intransitive Britishif something tones with something else they look good together because their colours are similar
tone with:
The flowers toned perfectly with the Mexican rug.
Synonyms and related words
To be or look attractive
tone
suit
shine

phrasal verbs

tone down

tone in

tone up

tone

verb

US /toʊn/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	tone
he/she/it	tones
present participle	toning
past tense	toned
past participle	toned

1

tone
or
tone up
transitive to make your body, muscles, or skin more firm and healthy
She quickly cleansed, toned, and moisturized her face.
I’m exercising regularly to tone my muscles.
Synonyms and related words
To get better after an illness
recover
survive
respond
2

tone
or
tone in
intransitive Britishif something tones with something else they look good together because their colors are similar
Synonyms and related words
To be or look attractive
shine
tone
suit

phrasal verbs

tone down

tone in

tone up

tone ​‌‌‌

tone ​‌‌‌

tone

tone

tone up

tone

tone in

tone

tone

tone up

tone

tone in

tone

tone