tone Definition

tone
noun

1. A musical or vocal sound with reference to its quality and pitch.

Thesaurus: sound, pitch, timbre, resonance.
2. music.
A sound that has a definite pitch.
3. A quality or character of the voice expressing a particular feeling or mood, etc.
4. The general character or style of spoken or written expression.

Thesaurus: quality, character, nature, trend, temper.
5. music.
The interval between, or equivalent to that between, the first two notes of the major scale.
6. High quality, style or character.

Example: His coarse jokes lowered the tone of the meeting
7. The quality, tint or shade of a colour.
8. The harmony or general effect of colours.
9. Firmness of the body, a bodily organ or muscle.

verb toned, toning

intr
1. To fit in well; to harmonize.

Form: tone in (also)
2. To give tone or the correct tone to something.
intr
3. To take on a tone or quality.

Derivative: toneless
adj

Derivative: tonelessly
adverb

Etymology: 14c: from Greek tonos tension.

Phrasal Verb: tone down or tone something down

To become, or make it, softer or less harsh in tone, colour or force, etc.

Phrasal Verb: tone up or tone something up

To become, or make it, stronger, healthier or more forceful, etc.