tone 1 S3 W2 / təʊn $ toʊn / 名词

1 voice [可数名词] the way your voice sounds, which shows how you are feeling or what you mean

in a … tone

‘You must be Annie,’ he said in a friendly tone.

in sb’s tone

There was urgency in his tone.

Her tone was sharp with anger.

It was obvious from her tone of voice that she didn’t like me.

don’t take that tone with me (= do not speak to me in that rude or unpleasant way )

2 sound [可数和不可数名词] the quality of a sound, especially the sound of a musical instrument or someone’s voice → pitch , timbre :

the guitar’s clean tone

in … tones

They talked in hushed tones.

‘No I didn’t,’ he said in a low tone (= quietly ) .

deep-toned/even-toned/shrill-toned etc (= having a low, calm etc tone )

an even-toned voice

3 general feeling/attitude [单数形式，不可数] the general feeling or attitude expressed in a piece of writing, a speech, an activity etc

tone of

The tone of the report was radical.

The meetings were noted for their deeply religious tone.

in tone

The article was moderate in tone.

set the tone (for/of something) (= establish the general attitude or feeling of an event, activity etc )

Opening remarks are important since they set the tone for the rest of the interview.

4 colour [可数和不可数名词] one of the many types of a particular colour, each slightly darker, lighter, brighter etc than the next 同义词 shade → tonal

tone of

different tones of green

Perhaps a darker tone would be better.

your skin tone (= the colour of your skin )

in tone

The dried colour is slightly deeper in tone than it appears when first applied. → two-tone

5 electronic sound [可数名词] a sound made by electronic equipment, such as a telephone :

Please leave a message after the tone.

dial tone American English dialling tone British English (= the sound you hear when you pick up the telephone that lets you know that you can make a call )

busy tone American English engaged tone British English (= the sound you hear when you telephone someone but they are already talking to someone else )

6 raise/lower the tone (of something) to make a place or event more or less socially acceptable, attractive etc :

That horrible building lowers the whole tone of the neighborhood.

Trust you to lower the tone of the conversation (= by making rude remarks etc ) .

7 body [不可数名词] technical how firm and strong your muscles or skin are :

A regular brisk walk will improve muscle tone .

8 music [可数名词] technical the difference in pitch between two musical notes that are separated by one key on the piano 同义词 step American English

9 voice level [可数名词] technical how high or low your voice is when you produce different sounds :

There is a falling tone on the first syllable and a rising tone on the other.

COLLOCATIONS

形容词

conversational (= informal and friendly ) I tried to keep my tone pleasant and conversational.

conciliatory (= showing that you do not want to be involved in an argument with someone ) She used a more conciliatory tone.

matter-of-fact (= showing no emotion when what you are saying is exciting, frightening, upsetting, etc ) His tone was matter-of-fact, but she noticed he was shaking.

measured (= very carefully controlled ) He spoke slowly, in a calm and measured tone.

clipped tones (= quick and clear, but not very friendly ) Davis’s secretary informed him in clipped tones: ‘Mr Davis is not here.’

low/quiet/hushed tones They sat at the far end of the carriage, talking in hushed tones.

sb’s dulcet tones (= a very sweet and gentle voice – often used humorously to mean the opposite ) I could hear Martha’s dulcet tones bellowing that dinner was ready.

短语

a tone of voice Try talking to the child in a firm but soothing tone of voice.

THESAURUS

colour red, blue, yellow etc : Blue is my favourite colour. | Matisse was famous for his use of colour.

shade a particular type of a colour : The dress is a light shade of pink. | He uses different shades of green.

hue / hju / literary or technical a particular colour or shade of a colour : Her face had lost its golden hue.

tint a small amount of a colour in something that is mostly another colour : He wears sunglasses that have a pinky-orange tint.

tone one of the many different shades of a colour, each slightly darker, lighter, brighter etc than the next : Carpets in neutral tones give a feeling of space.