English · Arts & Literature
tone
/təʊn/
[/təʊn/]
quality of sound or mood
Intermediatenoun
Definition
The quality of a sound, or the general mood or attitude expressed in speech or writing.
Example
His friendly tone immediately put the nervous new students at ease on their first day.
His friendly tone immediately put the nervous new students at ease on their first day.
Etymology
From Greek 'tonos' (a stretching, pitch of voice), via Latin 'tonus'.
How & Where It’s Used
Used in music, art (colour tone), and the mood of speech or writing.