tone
gb/tˈoʊn/ us/tˈoʊn/
A2
English
~ 1900
hangnem, hang, árnyalat, izomtónus, feszesít
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
the tone of [speech/writing]
Her tone was calm and reassuring.
A hangneme nyugodt és megnyugtató volt.
The email's tone seemed a bit rude.
Az e-mail hangneme kissé udvariatlannak tűnt.
He spoke in a cheerful tone despite the bad news.
The article had a critical tone toward the government.
His tone changed when he heard the question.
Learner examples
She spoke in a happy tone.
Vidám hangon beszélt.
His tone was very serious.
Nagyon komoly volt a hangneme.
The teacher used a soft tone.
I did not like her angry tone.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'tone' with 'voice'; 'voice' is the actual sound, while 'tone' is the quality or feeling in it.
Meaning
manner of speaking or writing
Collocations
serious tone
|friendly tone
|angry tone
|formal tone
|tone of voice
Synonyms
manner (More general; not limited to speech or writing.)
|
attitude (Focuses more on feelings or viewpoint than sound or style.)
Antonyms
content (Refers to what is said rather than how it is said.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The way someone sounds when they speak or write, showing how they feel or what they think.
The general character, quality, or attitude conveyed in speech, writing, or communication.
NOUN
A2
2
hang
A1
The flute produced a clear, sweet tone.
A fuvola tiszta, lágy hangot adott.
She sang the note with perfect tone.
A hangot tökéletesen tisztán énekelte ki.
This guitar has a warm tone.
The bell's tone echoed through the hall.
Learner examples
The piano made a soft tone.
A zongora lágy hangot adott.
I like the high tone of her voice.
Tetszik a magas hangja.
The horn has a loud tone.
Meaning
musical or vocal pitch
Collocations
pure tone
|high tone
|low tone
|musical tone
Synonyms
note (Common in music; refers to a specific pitch.)
Antonyms
noise (Sound without a clear pitch.)
Themes
music
|sound
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Definition
A sound in music or voice that has a certain highness or lowness.
A sound, especially in music or speech, that has a particular pitch and quality.
NOUN
B1
3
árnyalat
B1
The artist used soft pastel tones in her painting.
A művész lágy pasztellárnyalatokat használt a festményén.
Earth tones are popular in home decor.
A földszínek népszerűek a lakberendezésben.
The dress came in several tones of blue.
Learner examples
I like the warm tones of the picture.
Tetszenek a kép meleg árnyalatai.
This shirt has a dark tone.
Ez az ing sötét árnyalatú.
She painted the wall in light tones.
Meaning
shade or quality of color
Collocations
warm tone
|earth tone
|skin tone
|pastel tone
Synonyms
shade (Very close meaning; often interchangeable in color context.)
Antonyms
tint (Refers to a lighter version of a color; not opposite but contrastive.)
Themes
art
|design
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
How light, dark, or strong a color is.
A particular shade, brightness, or intensity of a color.
NOUN
B1
4
izomtónus
B2
Regular exercise improves muscle tone.
A rendszeres testmozgás javítja az izomtónust.
Her muscle tone declined after months in bed.
Hónapokig tartó ágyban fekvés után romlott az izomtónusa.
Yoga can help maintain good muscle tone.
Learner examples
Exercise helps muscle tone.
A testmozgás jót tesz az izomtónusnak.
He has good muscle tone.
Jó az izomtónusa.
I want to improve my muscle tone.
Meaning
firmness of muscles or skin
Collocations
muscle tone
|good tone
|improve tone
Synonyms
firmness (General physical solidity; not limited to muscles.)
Antonyms
flabbiness (Lack of firmness in muscles or skin.)
Themes
health
|fitness
|body
Definition
How firm and strong muscles or skin are.
The level of firmness and elasticity in muscles or skin.
VERB
A2
5
feszesít
B2
Usage pattern:
to tone [part of body]
She works out to tone her legs.
Azért edz, hogy feszesítse a lábait.
Pilates can help you tone your core muscles.
A pilates segíthet feszesíteni a törzsizmokat.
He toned his arms with regular weight training.
Learner examples
I want to tone my arms.
Szeretném feszesíteni a karjaimat.
She tones her legs at the gym.
Az edzőteremben feszesíti a lábait.
We can tone our bodies with exercise.
Meaning
make muscles firmer by exercise
Collocations
tone up arms
|tone your abs
Synonyms
strengthen (General; not limited to physical appearance.)
Antonyms
weaken (Reduce physical strength or firmness.)
Themes
health
|fitness
|body
Definition
To make your body stronger and harder by doing exercise.
To make a part of the body firmer and stronger through exercise or training.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tone
IPA
GB/tˈoʊn/
US/tˈoʊn/
Syllables & stress
tone (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (tone)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: tone
- Plural: tone, tones
Verb
- Base: tone
- 3rd Person Singular: tones
- Present Participle: toning
- Past: toned
Word family
Forms
tones
noun
toning
verb
toned
verb
Related words
intonation
noun B2
tonal
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
toneless
adjective
monotone
noun
Advanced or less common
tonality
noun
tonally
adverb
Expressions
set the tone
1/sˈɛt ðə tˈoʊn/
fixed phrase
establish overall mood or style
To create the general feeling or style for something at the start.
Examples
- The opening scene set the tone for the rest of the film.
- Her welcoming speech set the tone for the conference.
tone down
1/tˈoʊn dˈaʊn/
phrasal verb
make less intense or extreme
To make something softer, less bright, less strong, or less extreme.
Examples
- You should tone down your criticism if you want them to listen.
- They toned down the colors in the room for a calmer look.
tone up
1/tˈoʊn ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
make muscles stronger by exercise
To make your body firmer and stronger by doing exercises.
Examples
- She goes to Pilates classes to tone up.
- Swimming is great to tone up your whole body.