B2noun 1K

Tone

🇬🇧 UK /["/təʊn/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/təʊn/"]/

Meaning of Tone

the quality of somebody’s voice, especially expressing a particular emotion

In simple words: The sound quality or character of a voice or music.

Tone in a sentence

• She spoke in a harsh tone that made everyone uncomfortable.
• The composer created a beautiful tone in the symphony.
• He adjusted the tone of his voice to sound more friendly.
• The artist used warm tones to evoke happiness in her painting.
• The tone of the message was clearly optimistic despite the challenges.
• To improve muscle tone, it's important to exercise regularly.
• Her sarcastic tone indicated that she was not pleased with the decision.
• The novel's tone shifted drastically from comedic to serious.

How to use Tone

Used to describe qualities of sound in music or speech. Avoid using in overly casual contexts. It’s appropriate in discussions about art, music, and communication.

Grammar pattern

tone + of + noun

Memory hint

Think of 'tone' as the 'tone' of a person's voice, like how it 'tones' the message.

Related words

Collocations with Tone

• deep
• low
• hushed
• adopt
• speak in
• strike
• change
• soften
• convey something
• in a/​the tone
• in tones of
• a tone of voice
• dominant
• general
• overall
• establish
• set
• have
• in tone
• a change in tone
• a change of tone
• deep
• low
• hushed
• adopt
• speak in
• strike
• change
• soften
• convey something
• in a/​the tone
• in tones of
• a tone of voice
• light
• muted
• neutral
• match
• dial
• dialling
• engaged
• get
• sound

Synonyms for Tone

• pitch
• quality
• inflection
• sound
• character

Opposites of Tone

• dullness
• flatness
• monotony

Common mistakes with Tone

• Confused with 'tune', especially in music contexts.
• Using 'tone' only in musical contexts, rather than in speech.
• Mixing up 'tone' with 'mood' when describing emotional qualities.

Frequently asked questions about Tone

What does Tone mean?

The sound quality or character of a voice or music.

What is the definition of Tone?

the quality of somebody’s voice, especially expressing a particular emotion

How do you use Tone in a sentence?

She spoke in a harsh tone that made everyone uncomfortable.

Can you give another example of Tone?

The composer created a beautiful tone in the symphony.

What are synonyms for Tone?

Common alternatives include pitch, quality, inflection, sound, character.

What is the opposite of Tone?

Opposite meanings include dullness, flatness, monotony.

What words go with Tone?

It commonly pairs with deep, low, hushed, adopt, speak in, strike, change, soften, convey something, in a/​the tone, in tones of, a tone of voice, dominant, general, overall, establish, set, have, in tone, a change in tone, a change of tone, deep, low, hushed, adopt, speak in, strike, change, soften, convey something, in a/​the tone, in tones of, a tone of voice, light, muted, neutral, match, dial, dialling, engaged, get, sound.

What are common mistakes when using Tone?

Confused with 'tune', especially in music contexts. Using 'tone' only in musical contexts, rather than in speech. Mixing up 'tone' with 'mood' when describing emotional qualities.

How do you pronounce Tone?

US: /["/təʊn/"]/, UK: /["/təʊn/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Tone?

Used to describe qualities of sound in music or speech. Avoid using in overly casual contexts. It’s appropriate in discussions about art, music, and communication.

What CEFR level is Tone?

"Tone" is at B2 level on the CEFR scale.