<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>any sound considered with reference to its quality, pitch, strength, source, etc.: shrill tones.</li><li>quality or character of sound.</li><li>vocal sound; the sound made by vibrating muscular bands in the larynx.</li><li>a particular quality, way of sounding, modulation, or intonation of the voice as expressive of some meaning, feeling, spirit, etc.: a tone of command.</li><li>an accent peculiar to a person, people, locality, etc., or a characteristic mode of sounding words in speech.</li><li>stress of voice on a syllable of a word.</li><li>Linguistics: a musical pitch or movement in pitch serving to distinguish two words otherwise composed of the same sounds, as in Chinese.</li><li>Music: a musical sound of definite pitch, consisting of several relatively simple constituents called partial tones, the lowest of which is called the fundamental tone and the others harmonics or overtones.</li><li>an interval equivalent to two semitones; a whole tone; a whole step.</li><li>any of the nine melodies or tunes to which Gregorian plainsong psalms are sung.</li><li>a quality of color with reference to the degree of absorption or reflection of light; a tint or shade; value.</li><li>that distinctive quality by which colors differ from one another in addition to their differences indicated by chroma, tint, shade; a slight modification of a given color; hue: green with a yellowish tone.</li><li>Art: the prevailing effect of harmony of color and values.</li><li>Physiology: the normal state of tension or responsiveness of the organs or tissues of the body.</li><li>that state of the body or of an organ in which all its functions are performed with healthy vigor.</li><li>normal sensitivity to stimulation.</li><li>a normal healthy mental condition.</li><li>a particular mental state or disposition; spirit, character, or tenor.</li><li>a particular style or manner, as of writing or speech; mood: the macabre tone of Poe's stories.</li><li>Synonyms: temper, quality, spirit.</li><li>prevailing character or style, as of manners, morals, or philosophical outlook: the liberal tone of the 1960s.</li><li>style, distinction, or elegance.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object) toned, ton·ing: to sound with a particular tone.</li><li>to give the proper tone to (a musical instrument).</li><li>to modify the tone or general coloring of.</li><li>to give the desired tone to (a painting, drawing, etc.).</li><li>Photography: to change the color of (a print), especially by chemical means.</li><li>to render as specified in tone or coloring.</li><li>to modify the tone or character of.</li><li>to give or restore physical or mental tone to.</li><li>(used without object) toned, ton·ing: to take on a particular tone; assume color or tint.</li><li>verb phrase: to become or cause to become softened or moderated: The newspaper toned down its attack.</li><li>Painting: to make (a color) less intense in hue; subdue.</li><li>to give a higher or stronger tone to.</li><li>to gain or cause to gain in tone or strength: toning up little-used muscles.</li><li>to harmonize in tone or coloring; blend: The painting tones with the room.</li></ul>