tone of voice
How you sound
Tone of voice is the quality of sound that conveys attitude or emotion in speech—not what someone says but how they say it.
A harsh tone signals anger; a gentle tone, sympathy.
Don't take that tone of voice with me.
The phrase extends to writing, where word choice and rhythm create an analogous effect: The company's tone of voice should be warm but professional.
- hushAbsence of sound
- inflectionWord form alteration
- sarcasmIrony used to mock
- clippedCut or trimmed briefly
- timbreSound's distinctive character
modulation · delivery · sigh · cadence · tonal · condescension · passive aggressive · warmth · exasperation · terseness · pitch · harshness · cutting remark · ice cold · assertiveness · stern warning · expression · formality
- behavioral cuesbody language, facial expression, eye contact, posture, gestures
- vocal emotionscrying, laughing, sighing, whimpering, shouting
- casual communicationsmall talk, chit-chat, chitchat, banter, texting
- emotional responsesfacial expression, temper tantrum, mood swing, silent treatment, cold shoulder
- courtroom etiquettestanding, rising, posture, Your Honor, your honor
- Impression managementself-presentation, first impression, body language, eye contact, dress code
tone of voicewritten word
Language in visible form
text · body language · facial expression · gestures · written communication
tone of voiceliteral meaning
Exact, non-figurative interpretation
denotation · explicit content · surface meaning · words · word choice
voice, tone, monotone, tones, intonation, intone, undertone, atone, tonality