Laxi Dictionary

English Dictionary

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Definition tone in British English

tone noun

noun
/təʊn/
1

the sound of someone's voice that shows what they are feeling

Example

Meredith trembled at the tenderness in his tone.

Example

'Really?' Simone said in a surprised tone of voice.

Example

Don't you take that tone of voice with me (=don't speak to me so rudely)!

Synonyms and related words
break cadence croak
1.1

the type of sound that someone makes with their voice in a particular situation

Example

They were sitting close together, talking in hushed tones.

Synonyms and related words
break cadence croak
2

the general character of a place or event

Example

The positive tone of the evening had changed completely.

Example

The opening remarks set the tone for the rest of the interview.

Example

Trust you to lower the tone of the whole conversation!

Synonyms and related words
feature quality factor
2.1

the general attitude shown by a piece of writing

Example

Much of his writing has a rather strident tone to it.

Example

Their next letter was more optimistic in tone.

Synonyms and related words
academic writing delivery diction
3

the quality of the sound made by a musical instrument, voice, or piece of electronic equipment

Example

a flute with a clear bright tone

Synonyms and related words
chord crescendo discord
4

a sound made by a piece of equipment as a signal or warning

Example

I picked up the phone and just got a beeping tone.

Example

The answering machine said to leave a message after the tone.

Example

I keep getting the engaged tone.

Synonyms and related words
alarm alarm bell the all clear
5

a colour or a particular shade (=type) of a colour

Example

a tweed coat in subtle tones of purple and green

Example

her olive skin tone

Synonyms and related words
chromatic col coloring
6

an amount equal to two semitones by which a musical note is higher or lower than another note

Synonyms and related words
A b bass
7

the firm or healthy quality of your body, muscles, or skin

Example

The patient's general muscle tone is good.

Synonyms and related words
health condition fitness
8

the degree to which the sound of a word or part of a word is high or low

Example

You use a rising tone in English to indicate a question.

Synonyms and related words
affricate alveolar articulator
Definition tone in British English