# treble

/ˈtɹɛbəɫ/ (US) · /tɹˈɛbəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/treble
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. high-pitched music

adjective · CEFR B2

describes the highest sounds or voices in music.

For teachers: pertaining to the highest singing voice or the highest-pitched part in a musical composition.

- The choir needs more treble voices for the high notes in this song.
- The composer assigned the melody to the treble clef, ensuring the flute's high register would soar above the orchestral accompaniment.

### 2. threefold

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

having three parts or being three times as much.

For teachers: consisting of three parts or being three times as great in amount or number.

- The company saw a treble increase in profits over the last year.
- The witness provided a treble account of the events, though the three versions differed in several key details.

### 3. high-frequency sound

noun · CEFR B2

the high-pitched part of a sound, like the high notes on a radio.

For teachers: the high-frequency component of a sound or audio signal.

- You should turn down the treble on the speakers if the sound is too sharp.
- The audio engineer adjusted the treble to enhance the clarity of the vocals without introducing unwanted hiss into the recording.

### 4. three sporting wins

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

winning three important trophies or games in one season.

For teachers: the achievement of winning three major trophies or competitions in a single season.

- The team celebrated after winning the treble, including the league and the cup.
- Securing the treble remains the ultimate ambition for top-tier European clubs, requiring consistent excellence across domestic and international competitions.

### 5. dartboard section

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the small ring on a dartboard that gives you three times the points.

For teachers: the narrow inner ring of a dartboard segment that triples the value of the number hit.

- He won the game by hitting the treble twenty with his final dart.
- Professional players consistently aim for the treble segments to maximise their scoring potential during the opening rounds of a match.

### 6. to multiply by three

verb · CEFR B2 · British English

to make something three times bigger or more.

For teachers: to increase or multiply a quantity by three.

- The city plans to treble the number of bike lanes by next year.
- The government aims to treble its investment in renewable energy infrastructure to meet the ambitious carbon-reduction targets set for the next decade.

Usage: Commonly used as a transitive verb taking a direct object.

## Examples

- The company reported a treble profit this year.
- The athlete celebrated a treble victory after winning the hundred-meter, two-hundred-meter, and relay races.
- The sudden surge in demand led to a treble increase in production costs, forcing the manufacturer to reconsider its long-term pricing strategy for the European market.

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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.