treble

American  

[treb-uhl] / ˈtrɛb əl /

adjective

1. threefold; triple.

2. Music.

   1. of or relating to the highest part in harmonized music; soprano.

   2. of the highest pitch or range, as a voice part, voice, singer, or instrument.

   3. high in pitch; shrill.

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noun

1. Music.

   1. the treble or soprano part.

   2. a treble voice, singer, or instrument.

2. a high or shrill voice or sound.

3. the highest-pitched peal of a bell.

verb (used with or without object)

trebles, present (3rd person singular) trebled, past participle, past trebling present participle

1. to make or become three times as much or as many; triple.

treble British  

/ ˈtrɛbəl /

adjective

1. threefold; triple

2. of, relating to, or denoting a soprano voice or part or a high-pitched instrument

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noun

1. three times the amount, size, etc

2. a soprano voice or part or a high-pitched instrument

3. the highest register of a musical instrument

4. 1. the high-frequency response of an audio amplifier, esp in a record player or tape recorder

   2. a control knob on such an instrument by means of which the high-frequency gain can be increased or decreased

5. Leisure:Bell-ringing the lightest and highest bell in a ring

6. 1. the narrow inner ring on a dartboard

   2. a hit on this ring

verb

1. to make or become three times as much

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• trebleness
  noun
• trebly
  adverb

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has trebled
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have trebled
  perfect
• are trebling
  progressive
• has been trebling
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am trebling
  progressive 1st person singular
• is trebling
  progressive 3rd person singular
• have been trebling
  perfect progressive
• trebles
  singular 3rd person
• trebling
  participle

Past

• had trebled
  perfect
• were trebling
  progressive plural
• had been trebling
  perfect progressive
• was trebling
  progressive singular
• trebled
  simple
• trebled
  participle

Future

• will treble
  simple
• will have trebled
  perfect
• will have been trebling
  perfect progressive
• will be trebling
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of treble

1275–1325; (adj. and noun) Middle English < Middle French < Latin triplus triple; (v.) Middle English treblen, derivative of the adj.

Explanation

Something that's treble has three parts or sections. You could describe a tricycle as a treble wheeled vehicle. You can use the adjective treble to mean "triple," either because it's three times as large, or has three components. If you watch three movies in a row at a theater, you can call it a treble feature. A three-headed monster can also be described as treble headed. Another meaning of treble is a high-pitched singing voice, especially a boy's. Treble comes from the Latin word triplus, or "threefold."

Example Sentences

City still remain in the hunt for a domestic treble, sitting two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal with two games left, and a difficult trip to in-form Bournemouth next on Tuesday.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

The odds were stacked against Manchester United, down to 10 men heading into extra time against an Everton side who were chasing a treble and had already beaten them twice that season.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

"Too far away," said Guardiola when asked about the possibility of a treble.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

Having already claimed the Carabao Cup this season, City remain on course to win a second domestic treble under Guardiola.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

The viola's song is in a language no one knows; it reads from the alto clef, not the treble.

From "What the Night Sings" by Vesper Stamper

Related Words

• high-pitched
• soprano