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toned muscle

toned muscle

3.4
A firm muscle with clear shape that comes from regular exercise
  • noun
  • /toʊnd ˈmʌsəl/
translation icon : músculo tonificado
  • She worked hard at the gym to develop toned muscle throughout her body.

Examples

  • After months of training, she finally achieved toned muscles.

  • Many fitness programs promise to help you achieve toned muscle in just a few weeks.

  • After months of training, his arms were noticeably more toned muscle than before.

  • He has a well-defined toned muscle in his arm.

  • After months of training, she finally achieved her goal of having toned muscle in her arms.

  • His dedication to the gym resulted in toned muscle that impressed everyone at the beach.

  • Regular workouts have given her a body with toned muscle, visible even under the bright gym lights.

Synonyms

muscle tone
vstoned muscle
  • Specialized
8 3.4

A little tightness in resting muscles that keeps them ready to move

is firmness created by training and shows as defined shape

Antonyms

524 1.0

Not strong in body or muscles and easily tired

20 3.7

Soft and loose areas of the body without firm muscle

How Toned

ripped
  • Slang
3.7
muscled
3.0
firmness
3 2.4
toned muscle
3.4
soft
552 1.0
flabby
20 3.7

Surface Forms

toned muscle singular
toned muscles plural

Morphology

toned + muscle

The meaning is directly compositional: 'toned' (firm, well-defined from exercise) modifies 'muscle', so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a firm, well-defined muscle. This adjective+noun construction is a regular, cross-linguistically common pattern, making the phrase transparent.

Etymology

The phrase toned muscle comes from the idea of tone as a firm, tight quality in a muscle, like a stretched band or a tight string. So when you exercise and a muscle becomes firmer and more defined, it is called 'toned', meaning 'firm' and in good shape.