tony

[ toh-nee ]

/ ˈtoʊ ni /

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

high-toned; stylish: a tony nightclub.

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Origin of tony

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

Words nearby tony

tonsorial, tonsure, tontine, ton-up, tonus, tony, too, too bad, too big for one's britches, too close for comfort, too close to call

Other definitions for tony (2 of 3)

Tony¹

[ toh-nee ]

/ ˈtoʊ ni /

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

Other definitions for tony (3 of 3)

Tony²

[ toh-nee ]

/ ˈtoʊ ni /

noun

a male given name, form of Anthony.

a female given name, form of Antoinette or Antonia.

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

MORE ABOUT TONY

What is a Tony?

A Tony is an annual award given by the American Theatre Wing (ATW) for excellence in theater production.

The Tony award is a black statuette featuring a suspended medallion with the image of the comedy and tragedy mask and the winner’s name, category, and winning year engraved on it. The awards are given out at the Tony Awards ceremony, also known as the Tonys. The Tonys are a televised ceremonial event that features celebrity hosts, musical performances, and Broadway announcements. Typically, the event is seen as one of the most important nights in the theater industry because it gathers many of its most talented performers, directors, and production crews.

When are the Tonys?

The Tony Awards ceremony typically takes place annually in June.

More information and context on the Tonys

The Tonys began in 1947 when the ATW gave out awards at a dinner ceremony on April 6. The first event featured 11 categories and theatrical performances from Mickey Rooney, Herb Shriner, Ethel Waters, and others. The event was first televised in 1967 when the Broadway League joined the ATW to co-present the Tonys.

The event and awards are named after Antoinette Perry, the leader of the ATW during World War II. Perry, who went by the nickname Tony, led the ATW during the war as a theater director and philanthropist working to entertain and support the American armed forces overseas and domestically.

Modernly, the Tonys feature dozens of award categories, including Best Play, Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Revival of a Play. The Tonys now last about three hours and feature multiple musical and dramatic performances from Broadway and off-Broadway theater groups.

What are some terms that often get used in discussing Tony?

How are Tonys discussed in real life?

The Tony awards are very important in the theater industry and are talked about frequently.

Oh my goodness, apparently I’ve been nominated for a Tony award. I can’t believe it. How rippingly thrilling.

— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) April 29, 2014

Just touched down from my 3-day, restful getaway with @DavidBurtka. Back on the grid. Get this: I got nominated for a Tony Award! #Gaaah!

— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) April 30, 2014

"The things that make you strong are the things that make you powerful!" Tony Award Winner @BenSPLATT 😭👏👍

— Rory O’Malley (@RoryOMalley) June 12, 2017

Try using Tony!

True or False?

The Tony awards are named after Antoinette Perry.

How to use tony in a sentence

Anyway, Zemo blames the Avengers for the death of his family—which is actually fair since Tony Stark created Ultron, though Tony did not intent to make him genocidal.
Everything You Need to Know About The Falcon and the Winter Soldier|Eliana Dockterman|March 19, 2021|Time
It comes from the same group that runs the large Tony and Joe’s in Georgetown’s waterfront.
D.C.’s culinary scene shakes its pandemic slumber|Evan Caplan|March 10, 2021|Washington Blade
Running for 212 performances, it earned Tony nominations for O’Shea and the director, stage and screen actress Geraldine Fitzgerald.
Bill C. Davis, whose play ‘Mass Appeal’ lived up to its title, dies at 69|Harrison Smith|March 5, 2021|Washington Post
He said, “Tony just cares about people being happy and people having a good time.”
PLAYBACK (2015): Could the Next Brooklyn Be … Las Vegas?! (Ep. 205)|Stephen J. Dubner|December 6, 2020|Freakonomics

If you like a drink now and again, you might want to pour one out now for Tony.
PLAYBACK (2015): Could the Next Brooklyn Be … Las Vegas?! (Ep. 205)|Stephen J. Dubner|December 6, 2020|Freakonomics
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
He thought so, at least, as he laughed and agreed with her, saying Tony was an unscrupulous rascal at the best of times.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
She had left her chair, meaning to go indoors and prepare for supper before Tony actually arrived.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
She gave details of the singular mood that had come upon her with the arrival of Tony, but Tom hardly heard her.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
He was aware—by her silence chiefly—of the new distance between them, a distance the mention of Tony had emphasised.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
Here was the strangeness of it: that he did not distrust Lettice, nor felt resentment against Tony.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood

British Dictionary definitions for tony (1 of 2)

tony

/ (ˈtəʊnɪ) /

adjective tonier or toniest

US and Canadian informal stylish or distinctive; classy

Word Origin for tony

C20: from tone

British Dictionary definitions for tony (2 of 2)

Tony

/ (ˈtəʊnɪ) /

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

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

tony

Origin of tony

Words nearby tony

Other definitions for tony (2 of 3)

Origin of Tony

Other definitions for tony (3 of 3)

MORE ABOUT TONY

What is a Tony?

When are the Tonys?

More information and context on the Tonys

How are Tonys discussed in real life?

Try using Tony!

Words related to tony

How to use tony in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tony (1 of 2)

Word Origin for tony

British Dictionary definitions for tony (2 of 2)

Word Origin for Tony