Tone | Mean of tone in English Dictionary
/ˈtoʊn/
- Noun
- the quality of a person's voice
- She spoke in a sharp tone. [=she spoke sharply]
- He replied in a friendly tone.
- They spoke in hushed/conspiratorial tones.
- Don't use that rude tone of voice with me.
- the quality of a sound produced by a musical instrument or singing voice
- the low tones of an organ
- a quality, feeling, or attitude expressed by the words that someone uses in speaking or writing
- 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.
- the general quality of a place, situation, etc.
- the city's upbeat tone
- The seriousness of his opening statement set the tone for/of the meeting. [=his opening statement established that the meeting would be serious]
- a shade of color
- a bright, dark, or light tone of blue
- the soft tones of the painting
- a small amount of a color
- gray with a slightly bluish tone [=tint]
- strength and firmness of the muscles or skin
- These exercises help build muscle tone.
- the highness or lowness of a spoken syllable
- a rising/falling tone
- a sound made as a signal by a machine (such as a telephone or answering machine)
- Please leave a message after the tone.
- (Brit) I keep getting the engaged tone. [=(US) busy signal; the sound which indicates that the telephone line is already being used]
- a sound of a particular pitch and vibration
- the different tones [=notes] of a musical scale
- Verb
- to give strength and firmness to (something, such as muscles or skin)
- These exercises are a good way to tone (up) your stomach muscles.
- to make (something) less forceful, offensive, or harsh
- People will be more likely to listen to you if you tone down your language a little.
- to make (something) less bright or colorful
- She toned down her wardrobe.
- to match the color of (something)
- That tie tones in well with your suit.