I. tone 1 S3 W2 /təʊn $ toʊn/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: tonus 'tension, tone' , from Greek tonos ]
1 . VOICE [countable] the way your voice sounds, which shows how you are feeling or what you mean
in a ... tone
‘You must be Annie,’ he said in a friendly tone.
in sb’s tone
There was urgency in his tone.
Her tone was sharp with anger.
It was obvious from her tone of voice that she didn’t like me.
don’t take that tone with me (=do not speak to me in that rude or unpleasant way)
2 . SOUND [uncountable and countable] the quality of a sound, especially the sound of a musical instrument or someone’s voice ⇨ pitch , timbre :
the guitar’s clean tone
in ... tones
They talked in hushed tones.
‘No I didn’t,’ he said in a low tone (=quietly) .
deep-toned/even-toned/shrill-toned etc (=having a low, calm etc tone)
an even-toned voice
3 . GENERAL FEELING/ATTITUDE [singular, uncountable] the general feeling or attitude expressed in a piece of writing, a speech, an activity etc
tone of
The tone of the report was radical.
The meetings were noted for their deeply religious tone.
in tone
The article was moderate in tone.
set the tone (for/of something) (=establish the general attitude or feeling of an event, activity etc)
Opening remarks are important since they set the tone for the rest of the interview.
4 . COLOUR [uncountable and countable] one of the many types of a particular colour, each slightly darker, lighter, brighter etc than the next SYN shade ⇨ tonal
tone of
different tones of green
Perhaps a darker tone would be better.
your skin tone (=the colour of your skin)
in tone
The dried colour is slightly deeper in tone than it appears when first applied.
⇨ ↑ two-tone
5 . ELECTRONIC SOUND [countable] a sound made by electronic equipment, such as a telephone:
Please leave a message after the tone.
dial tone American English dialling tone British English (=the sound you hear when you pick up the telephone that lets you know that you can make a call)
busy tone American English engaged tone British English (=the sound you hear when you telephone someone but they are already talking to someone else)
6 . raise/lower the tone (of something) to make a place or event more or less socially acceptable, attractive etc:
That horrible building lowers the whole tone of the neighborhood.
Trust you to lower the tone of the conversation (=by making rude remarks etc) .
7 . BODY [uncountable] technical how firm and strong your muscles or skin are:
A regular brisk walk will improve muscle tone.
8 . MUSIC [countable] technical the difference in ↑ pitch between two musical notes that are separated by one ↑ key on the piano SYN step American English
9 . VOICE LEVEL [countable] technical how high or low your voice is when you produce different sounds:
There is a falling tone on the first syllable and a rising tone on the other.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 1 & 2)
■ adjectives
▪ conversational (=informal and friendly)
I tried to keep my tone pleasant and conversational.
▪ conciliatory (=showing that you do not want to be involved in an argument with someone)
She used a more conciliatory tone.
▪ matter-of-fact (=showing no emotion when what you are saying is exciting, frightening, upsetting, etc )
His tone was matter-of-fact, but she noticed he was shaking.
▪ measured (=very carefully controlled)
He spoke slowly, in a calm and measured tone.
▪ clipped tones (=quick and clear, but not very friendly)
Davis’s secretary informed him in clipped tones: ‘Mr Davis is not here.’
▪ low/quiet/hushed tones
They sat at the far end of the carriage, talking in hushed tones.
▪ sb’s dulcet tones (=a very sweet and gentle voice – often used humorously to mean the opposite)
I could hear Martha’s dulcet tones bellowing that dinner was ready.
■ phrases
▪ a tone of voice
Try talking to the child in a firm but soothing tone of voice.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ colour red, blue, yellow etc:
Blue is my favourite colour.
|
Matisse was famous for his use of colour.
▪ shade a particular type of a colour:
The dress is a light shade of pink.
|
He uses different shades of green.
▪ hue /hjuː/ literary or technical a particular colour or shade of a colour:
Her face had lost its golden hue.
▪ tint a small amount of a colour in something that is mostly another colour:
He wears sunglasses that have a pinky-orange tint.
▪ tone one of the many different shades of a colour, each slightly darker, lighter, brighter etc than the next:
Carpets in neutral tones give a feeling of space.
II. tone 2 BrE AmE ( also tone up ) verb [transitive]
to improve the strength and firmness of your muscles, skin etc:
Exercise can strengthen and tone muscles.
He began to use weights in order to tone up his body.
a well-toned body
tone something ↔ down phrasal verb
1 . to reduce the effect of something such as a speech or piece of writing, so that people will not be offended:
His advisers told him to tone down his speech.
2 . to make a colour less bright:
Blue can be used to tone down very sunny rooms.
tone in phrasal verb British English
if one colour or pattern tones in with another, they are similar and look good together SYN complement
tone in with
Choose candles that will tone in with your tablecloth and china.