English dictionary

tone Meaning & Definition

Q: What is the past tense of tone?

The past tense of tone is toned. The present participle is toning.

/ˈtəʊn/

What Does Tone Mean?

Tone is a noun that means A specific pitch. It is also used to mean (in the diatonic scale) An interval of a major second. As a verb, it means to give a particular tone to. As a pronoun, it means the one (of two).

Word Facts for Tone

Part of speech	noun, verb, pronoun
Pronunciation	/ˈtəʊn/
Synonyms	timbre, spirit and look
Antonyms	amyotonia, atonia and atony
Plural	tones
Verb forms	tones, toning, toned

Tone Definition (Noun)

A specific pitch.
(in the diatonic scale) An interval of a major second.
(in a Gregorian chant) A recitational melody.
The quality of a voice or musical sound, discerned especially through analysis of linguistic prosody for the former and musical expression for the latter.
The pitch of a word's sound that distinguishes a difference in meaning, as for example in Chinese.
A whining style of speaking; a kind of mournful or artificial strain of voice; an affected speaking with a measured rhythm and a regular rise and fall of the voice.
Children often read with a tone.
The manner in which speech or writing is expressed, especially the aspects of diction (word choice), connotation, emotiveness, and register.
State of mind; temper; mood.
The shade or quality of a colour.
The favourable effect of a picture produced by the combination of light and shade, or of colours.
This picture has tone.
The definition and firmness of a muscle or organ; see also: tonus.
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.
Normal tension or responsiveness to stimuli.
a gun
The general character, atmosphere, mood, or vibe (of a situation, place, etc.).
Her rousing speech gave an upbeat tone to the rest of the evening.
The quality of being respectable or admirable.

Tone as a Verb

to give a particular tone to
to change the colour of
to make (something) firmer
to utter with an affected tone.

Tone as a Pronoun

the one (of two)

Noun

The character of a sound, especially the timbre of an instrument or voice.
General character, mood, or trend.
Her rousing speech gave an upbeat tone to the rest of the evening.
The pitch of a word that distinguishes a difference in meaning, for example in Chinese.
The manner in which speech or writing is expressed.

Verb

To harmonize, especially in colour

Synonyms of Tone

timbre spirit look strengthen quality feeling tincture feel timber note step tint flavor smelltone of voicetonus tonicity tone upwhole stepwhole tonemusical notepure toneshade color firm firm up colour dye paint harmonise harmonize

Tone synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Tone

amyotonia atonia atony atonicity

Tone in a Sentence

Children often read with a tone.

This picture has tone.

Her rousing speech gave an upbeat tone to the rest of the evening.

Word Forms & Grammar

tone (plural tones)

tone (third-person singular simple present tones, present participle toning, simple past and past participle toned)

tone

Words That Rhyme With Tone

moan groan drone bemoan cornerstone stone condone unknown cyclone atone baritone monotone unbeknown bone backbone hone milestone zone lone cicerone capstone own throne alone roan undertone chaperone cone blown flagstone

Origin of Tone

Origin 1: From Middle English ton, tone, from Latin tonus (“sound, tone”) (possibly through Old French ton[1]), from Ancient Greek τόνος (tónos, “strain, tension, pitch”), from τείνω (teínō, “to stretch”). Doublet of tune, ton, tonos, and tonus.

Origin 2: From Middle English tone, ton, toon, from the incorrect division of thet one (“the/that one”). Compare Scots tane in the tane; see also tother.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tone

Is tone a noun or a verb?

Tone is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb and a pronoun.

What is another word for tone?

You can replace tone with words such as timbre, spirit and look. See the full list of tone synonyms and antonyms.