high-toned
or high-tone
[hahy-tohnd]
- having high principles; dignified.
- having or aspiring to good taste, high standards, or refinement: He writes for a high-toned literary review.
- affectedly stylish or genteel.
Origin of high-toned
First recorded in 1770–80
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for high-toned
Contemporary Examples
His message resonated with wealthy industrialists, high-toned educators, and even presidents.
Historical Examples
That's the high-toned way TO ask, and you'd ought to have known it.
The Rise of Roscoe PaineJoseph C. Lincoln
You've turned down a high-toned gentleman like Tom—and you done it for what?
The Man Next DoorEmerson Hough
Both Mahone and Early are high-toned gentlemen, and they will do nothing rash.
Peck's SunshineGeorge W. Peck
Where are all these high-toned English girls coming from, Jack?
Prescott of SaskatchewanHarold Bindloss
It seems to me that that is the most high-toned thing he could do.
Paul and His Dog, v.2 (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XIV)Charles Paul de Kock
high-toned
- having a superior social, moral, or intellectual quality
- affectedly superior
- high in tone
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for high-toned
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper