high-toned

Or high-tone

[hahy-tohnd]

adjective

1. having high principles; dignified.

2. having or aspiring to good taste, high standards, or refinement.

   He writes for a high-toned literary review.

3. affectedly stylish or genteel.

high-toned

adjective

1. having a superior social, moral, or intellectual quality

2. affectedly superior

3. high in tone

Word History and Origins

Origin of high-toned¹

First recorded in 1770–80