tonic

[ ton-ik ]

/ ˈtɒn ɪk /

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noun

a medicine that invigorates or strengthens: a tonic of sulphur and molasses.

anything invigorating physically, mentally, or morally: His cheerful greeting was a real tonic.

quinine water.

Music. the first degree of the scale; the keynote.

Chiefly Eastern New England. soda pop.

Phonetics. a tonic syllable or accent.

adjective

pertaining to, maintaining, increasing, or restoring the tone or health of the body or an organ, as a medicine.

invigorating physically, mentally, or morally.

Physiology, Pathology.

pertaining to tension, as of the muscles.
marked by continued muscular tension: a tonic spasm.

using differences in tone or pitch to distinguish between words that are otherwise phonemically identical: a tonic language.

pertaining to tone or accent in speech.

Phonetics. (of a syllable) bearing the principal stress or accent, usually accompanied by a change in pitch.

Music.

of or relating to a tone or tones.
pertaining to or founded on the keynote, or first tone, of a musical scale: a tonic chord.

OTHER WORDS FOR tonic

2 stimulant, restorative, bracer, pickup.

See synonyms for tonic on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of tonic

First recorded in 1640–50, tonic is from the Greek word tonikós pertaining to stretching or tones. See tone, -ic

regional variations of tonic

5. See soda pop.

OTHER WORDS FROM tonic

ton·i·cal·ly, adverban·ti·ton·ic, adjective, nounnon·ton·ic, adjectivepre·ton·ic, noun, adjective

Words nearby tonic

tongue worm, tonguing, tonguing-and-grooving plane, Toni, -tonia, tonic, tonic accent, tonic-clonic, tonic contraction, tonic convulsion, tonic epilepsy

Other definitions for tonic (2 of 2)

-tonic

a combining form occurring in adjectives that correspond to nouns ending in -tonia:catatonic.

Origin of -tonic

see origin at tonic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use tonic in a sentence

“My Inner Sky,” by Mari AndrewAndrew’s new book is a calming tonic for uncertain times.
Feel-good books to brighten your summer|Angela Haupt|May 27, 2021|Washington Post
In a gin and tonic or other spring highball, it adds a crisp, fresh note.
How to garnish cocktails, now that you’re clinking glasses with friends again|M. Carrie Allan|May 21, 2021|Washington Post
Jezler says she conceived of the workshop as a kind of tonic for the slate of problems Covid-19 has brought to remote teams.
The surprising business advantage of training your sense of smell|Anne Quito|May 6, 2021|Quartz
All five episodes are available now wherever you get your podcasts… just search tech tonic.
Podcast: In the AI of the Beholder|Anthony Green|April 1, 2021|MIT Technology Review

Both cities have special things to recommend them, though I wouldn’t say broth tonic is one of them.
A Park Slope Transplant Wrote a Story About Boulder...|Tracy Ross|March 11, 2021|Outside Online
Webb comes across with a clarity of expression that is rare for a politician and that the voters might find a welcome tonic.
Wait a Minute, Clinton Coronators—Here Comes Jim Webb|Eleanor Clift|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The result is a jade green soup that is smooth and gently tonic.
A California Tavern With an Artichoke Obsession|Jane & Michael Stern|June 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For Feiffer, the cold isolation of the upstate New York retreat worked like a tonic.
The Climax of ‘Portnoy’s Complaint’|Robert Hofler|May 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ultimately, the recommended tonic is based on your mind-body type according to ancient tradition.
Oil Pulling: Miracle Cure or Oily Mess?|DailyBurn|March 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Unfortunately, the four-time NBA All-Star was tragically known for his unofficial nickname: Vin and Tonic.
Rodman’s Goon Squad Goes to North Korea|The Daily Beast|January 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Monsieur Ratignolle was delighted to see her, though he found her looking not so well as at Grand Isle, and he advised a tonic.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
And the familiar scenery, together with the wholesome exercise of sculling, acted as a tonic to his nerves.
Uncanny Tales|Various
First of all is the forceful utterance of the stressed syllable; the Provençal has post-tonic syllables, unlike the sister-speech.
Frdric Mistral|Charles Alfred Downer
He shrewdly suspected that the infinite peace of the landscape would prove the best tonic for her overwrought mind.
Mystery Ranch|Arthur Chapman
“A useful phrase at times, of the nature of a tonic, amidst our enervating civilisation,” she reflected.
The Daughters of Danaus|Mona Caird

British Dictionary definitions for tonic

tonic

/ (ˈtɒnɪk) /

noun

a medicinal preparation intended to improve and strengthen the functioning of the body or increase the feeling of wellbeing

anything that enlivens or strengthenshis speech was a tonic to the audience

Also called: tonic water a mineral water, usually carbonated and containing quinine and often mixed with gin or other alcoholic drinks

music

the first degree of a major or minor scale and the tonal centre of a piece composed in a particular key
a key or chord based on this

a stressed syllable in a word

adjective

serving to enliven and invigoratea tonic wine

of or relating to a tone or tones

music of or relating to the first degree of a major or minor scale

of or denoting the general effect of colour and light and shade in a picture

physiol of, relating to, characterized by, or affecting normal muscular or bodily tonea tonic spasm

of or relating to stress or the main stress in a word

denoting a tone language

Derived forms of tonic

tonically, adverb

Word Origin for tonic

C17: from New Latin tonicus, from Greek tonikos concerning tone, from tonos tone

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for tonic

tonic

[ tŏn′ĭk ]

adj.

Of or producing tone or tonicity in muscles or tissue.

Characterized by continuous tension or contraction of muscles, as a convulsion or spasm.

Producing or stimulating physical, mental, or emotional vigor.

An agent, such as a medication, that restores or increases body tone.

tonic

OTHER WORDS FOR tonic

Origin of tonic

regional variations of tonic

OTHER WORDS FROM tonic

Words nearby tonic

Other definitions for tonic (2 of 2)

Origin of -tonic

Words related to tonic

How to use tonic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tonic

Derived forms of tonic

Word Origin for tonic

Medical definitions for tonic