Tone

/ˈtəʊn/ · noun

Meaning

(music) A specific pitch..

Definitions by Sense

1. (music) A specific pitch.
2. (music) (in the diatonic scale) An interval of a major second.
3. (music) (in a Gregorian chant) A recitational melody.
4. The character of a sound, especially the timbre of an instrument or voice.
5. (language, linguistics) The pitch of a word's sound that distinguishes a difference in meaning, as for example in Chinese.
6. (language, dated) 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.
7. (language, literature) The manner in which speech or writing is expressed, especially the aspects of diction (word choice), connotation, emotiveness, and register.
8. (obsolete) State of mind; temper; mood.

Example Sentences

Children often read with a tone.

Their tone was dissatisfied, almost menacing.

c. 1714 (undated), Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke, letter to Alexander Pope The strange situation I am in and the melancholy state of public affairs, […] drag the mind down […] from a philosophical tone or temper, to the drudgery of private and public business.

We make crude visual distinctions and effectively meaningless categorizations based on average skin tones, such as black or white.

This picture has tone.

But nigga don't step wrong, cuz 8ball keep a tone

M.A.C.T.D.O.G got the tone so hoe you know it's on

Got the tone to ya head yo life flashing right front your eyes

Synonyms for tone

Antonyms for tone

Related Words

Word Forms

• tones
• toning
• toned

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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