(~s, toning, ~d)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
The ~ of a sound is its particular quality.
Cross could hear him speaking in low ~s to Sarah.
...the clear ~ of the bell.
N-COUNT: with supp, usu pl
2.
Someone’s ~ is a quality in their voice which shows what they are feeling or thinking.
I still didn’t like his ~ of voice...
Her ~ implied that her patience was limited.
N-COUNT: usu with supp
3.
The ~ of a speech or piece of writing is its style and the opinions or ideas expressed in it.
The spokesman said the ~ of the letter was very friendly...
His comments to reporters were conciliatory in ~...
N-SING: also in N
4.
The ~ of a place or an event is its general atmosphere.
The service desk at the entrance, with its friendly, helpful and efficient staff, sets the ~ for the rest of the store.
N-SING: the N, usu with supp
5.
The ~ of someone’s body, especially their muscles, is its degree of firmness and strength.
...stretch exercises that aim to improve muscle ~...
N-UNCOUNT
6.
Something that ~s your body makes it firm and strong.
This movement lengthens your spine and ~s the spinal nerves...
Try these toning exercises before you start the day.
...finely ~d muscular bodies.
VERB: V n, V-ing, V-ed
•
Tone up means the same as ~ .
Exercise ~s up your body...
Although it’s not strenuous exercise, you feel ~d-up, supple and relaxed.
PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V-ed P
7.
A ~ is one of the lighter, darker, or brighter shades of the same colour.
Each brick also varies slightly in ~, texture and size...
N-VAR
8.
A ~ is one of the sounds that you hear when you are using a telephone, for example the sound that tells you that a number is engaged or busy, or no longer exists.
N-SING: usu with supp
9.
see also dialling ~ , ring ~
10.
If you say that something lowers the ~ of a place or event, you mean that it is not appropriate and makes the place or event seem less respectable.
Councillors say plastic-framed windows lower the ~ of the neighbourhood.
PHRASE: V inflects