tone
gb/tˈoʊn/ us/tˈoʊn/
A2
English
~ 1900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
property
1
manner of speaking or writing
The way someone sounds when they speak or write, showing how they feel or what they think.
Usage pattern:
the tone of [speech/writing]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'tone' with 'voice'; 'voice' is the actual sound, while 'tone' is the quality or feeling in it.
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.)
Collocations
serious tone
|friendly tone
|angry tone
|formal tone
|tone of voice
Themes
communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her tone was calm and reassuring.
- The email's tone seemed a bit rude.
- 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.
- His tone was very serious.
- The teacher used a soft tone.
- I did not like her angry tone.
Noun
A2
entity
2
musical or vocal pitch
A sound in music or voice that has a certain highness or lowness.
Synonyms
note (Common in music; refers to a specific pitch.)
Antonyms
noise (Sound without a clear pitch.)
Collocations
pure tone
|high tone
|low tone
|musical tone
Themes
music
|sound
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Examples
- The flute produced a clear, sweet tone.
- She sang the note with perfect tone.
- This guitar has a warm tone.
- The bell's tone echoed through the hall.
Learner examples
- The piano made a soft tone.
- I like the high tone of her voice.
- The horn has a loud tone.
Noun
B1
property
3
shade or quality of color
How light, dark, or strong a color is.
Synonyms
shade (Very close meaning; often interchangeable in color context.)
Antonyms
tint (Refers to a lighter version of a color; not opposite but contrastive.)
Collocations
warm tone
|earth tone
|skin tone
|pastel tone
Themes
art
|design
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The artist used soft pastel tones in her painting.
- Earth tones are popular in home decor.
- The dress came in several tones of blue.
Learner examples
- I like the warm tones of the picture.
- This shirt has a dark tone.
- She painted the wall in light tones.
Noun
B1
property
4
firmness of muscles or skin
How firm and strong muscles or skin are.
Synonyms
firmness (General physical solidity; not limited to muscles.)
Antonyms
flabbiness (Lack of firmness in muscles or skin.)
Collocations
muscle tone
|good tone
|improve tone
Themes
health
|fitness
|body
Examples
- Regular exercise improves muscle tone.
- Her muscle tone declined after months in bed.
- Yoga can help maintain good muscle tone.
Learner examples
- Exercise helps muscle tone.
- He has good muscle tone.
- I want to improve my muscle tone.
Verb
A2
action
5
make muscles firmer by exercise
To make your body stronger and harder by doing exercise.
Usage pattern:
to tone [part of body]
Synonyms
strengthen (General; not limited to physical appearance.)
Antonyms
weaken (Reduce physical strength or firmness.)
Collocations
tone up arms
|tone your abs
Themes
health
|fitness
|body
Examples
- She works out to tone her legs.
- Pilates can help you tone your core muscles.
- He toned his arms with regular weight training.
Learner examples
- I want to tone my arms.
- She tones her legs at the gym.
- We can tone our bodies with exercise.
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.