tone
- noun
- /toʊn/
- When writing her novel, she wanted to maintain a tone that was both humorous and engaging.
- tone of voice
- set the tone
- emotional tone
And you can feel there's a tone to that question.
- And you can feel there's a tone to that question.
- It might be your tone and how you phrase it.
- How quickly the tone changes when she wants something.
- In which tone are you talking to people?
- And he tells the story not with any bitter tone, as you might think.
- You got a problem if their tone does not match their words.
- Those changes in tone didn't give the reader whiplash.
- And that vibration, that feeling tone is what it's actually gratitude.
- I think it's just in the tone of the voice, you know?
- Yeah, You notice the tone of my voice, Like, yeah, mostly.
- Like it is very much the the tone in what they're saying.
- I mean, the tone is just people are mourning.
Examples
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Watch your tone.
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Therefore, Price and colleagues recommended that the content and tone of correction statements be positive and respectful.
Academic text (2013) -
How quickly the tone changes when she wants something.
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So this is kind of the tone that I am trying to find.
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In which tone are you talking to people?
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Do not use that tone please.
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As a side comment, watch your tone with me.
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And you can feel there's a tone to that question.
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I don't think I appreciate your tone, sir.
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Discussions are held with a positive tone of voice, and demeaning language is not permitted.
Academic text (2011)
Synonyms
The general feeling of a person, group, or place at a time
The basic character of a time, place, or action
A tone in someone's voice or writing
The mood or atmosphere in a place
A mood you feel from a place, person, or music
The general atmosphere of a place that people notice
The general impression a place or event gives
The way someone speaks that shows their feelings or mood
The main meaning of something said, written or done
The mood of sounds, especially a voice or music
The general mood of a talk that shows how people feel
Idioms
Compounds
- Specialized
The seventh note of a scale that is one half step below the main note and pulls toward it
- Specialized
A musical interval half the size of a semitone used in some modern and non-Western music
- Specialized
A higher sound made when the main note vibrates a whole number of times
- Specialized
A light balanced arm on a record player that holds the needle and moves across a record
- Specialized
A language where changes in voice pitch make words mean different things
How Expressive
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word tone comes from the Greek tonos, meaning 'tension' or 'stretch'. That's why your speaking tone shows mood or attitude, because the tension and pitch in your voice change how you sound.