1 [count] a : the quality of a person's voice
▪ She spoke in a sharp tone. [=he spoke sharply] ▪ He replied in a friendly tone. ▪ They spoke in hushed/conspiratorial tones. ▪ Don't use that rude tone of voice with me.
b : the quality of a sound produced by a musical instrument or singing voice
▪ the low tones of an organ 2 [count] a : a quality, feeling, or attitude expressed by the words that someone uses in speaking or writing
▪ The speech had religious tones to it. ▪ The author's tone shows her attitude toward the subject. ▪ The professor's condescending tone irritated some students.
b : the general quality of a place, situation, etc.
▪ the city's upbeat tone ▪ The seriousness of his opening statement set the tone for/of the meeting. [=his opening statement established that the meeting would be serious] 3 [count] a : a shade of color
▪ a bright, dark, or light tone of blue ▪ the soft tones of the painting — see also earth tone
b : a small amount of a color
▪ gray with a slightly bluish tone [=tint] 4 [noncount] : strength and firmness of the muscles or skin
▪ These exercises help build muscle tone. 5 [noncount] : the highness or lowness of a spoken syllable
▪ a rising/falling tone — see also tone language 6 [count] : a sound made as a signal by a machine (such as a telephone or answering machine)
▪ Please leave a message after the tone. ▪ (Brit) I keep getting the engaged tone. [=(US) busy signal; the sound which indicates that the telephone line is already being used] — see also dial tone, ringtone 7 [count] music a : a sound of a particular pitch and vibration
▪ the different tones [=notes] of a musical scale
b chiefly Brit : whole step