# toned

/ˈtoʊnd/ (US) · /tˈəʊnd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/toned
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. physically fit

adjective · CEFR B2

having a body that looks firm and strong with muscles that are easy to see.

For teachers: having muscles that are firm and well-defined; possessing a lean, athletic physique with low body fat.

- She looks very toned after spending three months training for the marathon.
- The athlete's toned physique was a testament to years of rigorous resistance training and a strictly controlled nutritional regimen.

Usage: Usually describes a person's body or specific muscle groups like arms or legs.

### 2. having a specific style or sound

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

having a particular quality of sound or a certain mood.

For teachers: possessing a specified quality of pitch, colour, or character; frequently used in hyphenated compounds.

- The singer's silver-toned voice filled the concert hall.
- The diplomat delivered a moderately-toned response, carefully avoiding any language that might escalate the border dispute.

Usage: Often appears in compound adjectives like 'high-toned', 'silver-toned', or 'even-toned'.

## Examples

- She has very toned arms from swimming every day.
- After months of consistent weight training and a balanced diet, he noticed his legs were much more toned.
- The athlete's toned physique was a testament to years of rigorous conditioning and a meticulous approach to functional fitness.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.