- tone
- [[t]to͟ʊn[/t]]
♦♦♦tones, toning, toned1) N-COUNT: with supp, usu pl The tone of a sound is its particular quality.
Cross could hear him speaking in low tones to Sarah.
...the clear tone of the bell.
2) N-COUNT: usu with supp Someone's tone is a quality in their voice which shows what they are feeling or thinking.I still didn't like his tone of voice...
Suddenly he laughed again, this time with a cold, sharp tone...
Her tone implied that her patience was limited.
3) N-SING: also in N The tone of a speech or piece of writing is its style and the opinions or ideas expressed in it.The spokesman said the tone of the letter was very friendly...
His comments to reporters were conciliatory in tone...
The whole tone of President Suharto's speech was one of continuity and stability.
Syn:4) N-SING: the N, usu with supp The tone of a place or an event is its general atmosphere.The high tone of the occasion was assured by the presence of a dozen wealthy patrons...
The service desk at the entrance, with its friendly, helpful and efficient staff, sets the tone for the rest of the store.
5) N-UNCOUNT The tone of someone's body, especially their muscles, is its degree of firmness and strength....stretch exercises that aim to improve muscle tone...
Keeping your muscles strong and in tone helps you to avoid back problems.
6) VERB Something that tones your body makes it firm and strong.[V n] This movement lengthens your spine and tones the spinal nerves...
[V-ing] Try these toning exercises before you start the day.
[V-ed] ...finely toned muscular bodies.
Tone up means the same as tone.V P n (not pron)
Exercise tones up your body... Also V n P V-ed P Although it's not strenuous exercise, you feel toned-up, supple and relaxed.7) N-VAR A tone is one of the lighter, darker, or brighter shades of the same colour.Each brick also varies slightly in tone, texture and size...
I'm a cheery sort of person, so I like cheerful tones.
...two-tone, striped wallpaper.
8) VERB If one thing tones with another, the two things look nice together because their colours are similar in quality or brightness. [mainly BRIT][V with n] Princess Margaret toned with her in a turquoise print dress.
9) N-SING: usu with supp A tone 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.10) N-COUNT A tone is a difference in pitch between two musical notes equal to two semitones.11) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that something lowers the tone 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 tone of the neighbourhood.
Phrasal Verbs:- tone in- tone up
English dictionary. 2008.
