World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesTone
/toʊn/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A quality, feeling, or attitude expressed by the words or voice used in speech or writing.
"The strict tone of the email left no room for negotiation." - 2
The general character, attitude, or moral atmosphere of a place, situation, or time.
"The manager wanted to set a collaborative tone for the new team."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the ancient Greek word tonos, meaning 'stretching' or 'pitch', which evolved through Latin tonus and Old French ton into Middle English. Originally referring to musical pitch or the tension of strings, the term expanded metaphorically over centuries to denote the emotional quality, character, or prevailing atmosphere of communication or behavior.
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10 Global Lexicons: How "Tone" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
ton
Transliteration: /tɔ̃/
"Le ton de sa voix était amical."
Ton
Transliteration: /toːn/
"Der Ton des Briefes war sehr höflich."
tono
Transliteration: /ˈtɔ.no/
"Il tono della sua voce era calmo."
tono
Transliteration: /ˈto.no/
"El tono del artículo fue muy crítico."
tom
Transliteration: /tõ/
"O tom da conversa mudou rapidamente."
स्वर
Transliteration: swar
"उसकी आवाज़ का स्वर बहुत शांत था।"
语气
Transliteration: yǔqì
"他说话的语气非常诚恳。"
어조
Transliteration: eo-jo
"그 편지의 어조는 매우 단호했다."
口調
Transliteration: kuchō
"彼の手紙の口調は温かかった。"
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