tony

[toh-nee]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR tony ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, ton·i·er, ton·i·est. Informal.

high-toned; stylish: a tony nightclub.

Origin of tony

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80; tone + -y¹

Tony

[toh-nee]

noun, plural To·nys.

one of a group of awards made annually by the American Theatre Wing, a professional school for the performing arts, for achievements in theatrical production and performance.

Origin of Tony

after the nickname of Antoinette Perry

Tony

[toh-nee]

noun

a male given name, form of Anthony.

a female given name, form of Antoinette or Antonia.

Blair

[blair]

noun

Anthony Charles Lyn·ton [lin-tuh n] /ˈlɪn tən/Tony, born 1953, British political leader: prime minister 1997–2007.

Bonnie,born 1964, U.S. speed skater.

John,1732–1800, U.S. jurist.

Also Blaire. a male or female given name.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for tony

chic, chichi, contemporary, current, customary, dashing, favored, fly, genteel, hot, latest, mod, modern, modish, natty, new, newfangled, now, popular, posh

Examples from the Web for tony

Contemporary Examples of tony

Malaysian-based entrepreneur Tony Fernandes has turned AirAsia into the most successful low cost airline in southeast Asia.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501
Clive Irving
January 6, 2015
Tony Shalhoub, Act One Sometimes you realize the power of a performance only when it remains in your mind many months later.
Hedwig, Hugh & Michael Cera: 12 Powerhouse Theater Performances of 2014
Janice Kaplan
December 31, 2014
But I trusted Tony Robbins could sort me out on both fronts.
Can Self-Help Books Really Make a New You?
Lizzie Crocker
December 29, 2014
The feisty airline is the brainchild of entrepreneur Tony Fernandes, a Malaysian of Indian descent who also is a British citizen.
The Presumed Crash of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 Is Nothing Like MH370
Lennox Samuels
December 29, 2014
His explanation only diminishes the irresistible excitement we feel while watching Tony Perkins peer at Janet Leigh in her shower.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days
David Freeman
December 13, 2014

Historical Examples of tony

Harriet was "tony" because she walked with her elbows in and her head up.
K
Mary Roberts Rinehart
When you are free of your cloak, Tony Cross, dismount and let us embrace.
In the Valley
Harold Frederic
A brother may not be a friend: but a friend will always be a brother—mind that, as your uncle Tony says!
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
Dorothy recollected that Mrs. Vansittart had said something like this about Tony Cornish.
Roden's Corner
Henry Seton Merriman
Tony Cornish had a cheery way with him which made other men talk.
Roden's Corner
Henry Seton Merriman

British Dictionary definitions for tony

tony

adjective tonier or toniest

US and Canadian informal stylish or distinctive; classy

Word Origin for tony

C20: from tone

Tony

noun plural Tonies or Tonys

any of several medallions awarded annually in the United States by a professional school for the performing arts for outstanding achievement in the theatre

Word Origin for Tony

from Tony, the nickname of Antoinette Perry (died 1946), US actress and producer

Blair

noun

Tony, full name Anthony Charles Lynton Blair . born 1953, British politician; leader of the Labour Party (1994–2007); prime minister (1997–2007); Middle East peace envoy from 2007

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

Word Origin and History for tony

adj.

1877, American English slang, from high-toned. It was the name of a reddish-brown fashion color in the 1920s.

Tony

1947, awards given by American Theatre Wing (New York), from nickname of U.S. actress, manager, and producer Antoinette Perry (1888-1946).