treble

[treb-uhl]

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.

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)

trebled, trebling 

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

treble

/ ˈtrɛbəl /

adjective

1. threefold; triple

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

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

• trebly adverb
• trebleness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of treble¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of treble¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin triplus threefold, _triple

Example Sentences

The singer's four-octave vocal range is represented by a musical stave encircling the coin from bass to treble, while a studded armband etched along the edge pays tribute to his iconic Live Aid outfit.

Read more on BBC

It expects the plan to more than treble its regulated asset base, it said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The England Under-21 international had not scored since August but netted a first-half brace before completing his treble after the break.

Read more on Barron's

He spent two seasons in charge of Celtic between 2021 and 2023 and led the club to a domestic treble in his second campaign.

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The duo, crucial to PSG's barnstorming treble last season, watched on from the bench as PSG took the lead after just seven minutes.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• high-pitched 
• soprano