adj · noun · verb · 23 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
UK:/ˈtɒnɪk/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
General-American:/ˈtɑ.nɪk/
rhymes with -ɒnɪk
CMU ARPABET:T AA1 N IH0 K
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Pertaining to tension, especially of the muscles.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Restorative; curative; or invigorating.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
The arrival of the new members had a tonic effect on the team.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
In a state of continuous unremitting action.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: medicine, neuroscience, sciences
Examples
Peter Redgrave (2007) Basal ganglia. Scholarpedia, 2(6):1825. GABAergic neurones in the basal ganglia output nuclei have high tonic firing rates (40-80 Hz).
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adj
Meaning 4
Pertaining to or based upon the first note of a diatonic scale.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adj
Meaning 5
Pertaining to the accent or stress in a word or in speech.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
adj
Meaning 6
Of or relating to tones or sounds; specifically (phonetics, dated) being or relating to a speech sound made with tone unmixed and undimmed by obstruction, i.e. a vowel or diphthong.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
noun
Meaning 7
A substance with medicinal properties intended to restore or invigorate.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable, usually
Examples
We used to brew a tonic from a particular kind of root.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
noun
Meaning 8
Tonic water.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
noun
Meaning 9
Any of various carbonated, non-alcoholic beverages; soda pop.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, dated, uncountable, usually
Qualifier: Eastern Massachusetts
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
10
noun
Meaning 10
Someone or something that revitalises or reinvigorates.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, uncountable, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
11
noun
Meaning 11
The first note of a diatonic scale; the keynote.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
12
noun
Meaning 12
The triad built on the tonic note.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
13
noun
Meaning 13
A tonic element or letter; a vowel or a diphthong.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
relating to or being the keynote of a major or minor scale
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
tonic harmony
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
20
noun
Meaning 20
a medicine that strengthens and invigorates
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: restorative
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: medicine, medication, medicament, medicinal drug
Narrower terms: bracer, pick-me-up
21
noun
Meaning 21
(music) the first note of a diatonic scale
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: keynote
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: note, musical note, tone
Narrower terms: C
22
noun
Meaning 22
a sweet drink containing carbonated water and flavoring
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
in New England they call sodas tonics
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: pop, soda, soda pop, soda water
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: soft drink
23
noun
Meaning 23
lime- or lemon-flavored carbonated water containing quinine
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: tonic water, quinine water
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: soft drink
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ten- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *tónos Proto-Hellenic *tónos Ancient Greek τόνος (tónos) Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Hellenic *-kos Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) Ancient Greek -ικός (-ikós) Ancient Greek τονῐκός (tonĭkós) English tonic From Ancient Greek τονικός (tonikós), from τόνος (tónos). 17th century writers believed health to be derived from firmly stretched muscles, thus tonic; the extension of tonic medicine appeared in the late 18th century. By surface analysis, ton(e) + -ic.
From tone + -ic.
Across languages
Translations
55 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Finnish:
jännittynyt
— pertaining to tension
German:
tonisch
— pertaining to tension
Bulgarian:
тонизиращ
(tonizirašt)
— curative
Finnish:
parantava
— curative
German:
anregend
— curative
German:
belebend
— curative
German:
kräftigend
— curative
German:
stärkend
— curative
Portuguese:
tónico
— curative
Portuguese:
tônico
— curative
Spanish:
tónico
— curative
Chinese Mandarin:
補品 /补品
(bǔpǐn)
— substance
Chinese Mandarin:
補藥 /补药
(bǔyào)
— substance
Finnish:
virkiste
— substance
French:
tonique
— substance
French:
tonic
— substance
German:
Kräftigungsmittel
— substance
German:
Stärkungsmittel
— substance
German:
Elixier
— substance
German:
Tonikum
— substance
German:
Tonic
— substance
Japanese:
トニック
(tonikku)
— substance
Korean:
토닉
(tonik)
— substance
Manx:
aaghleaysheyder
— substance
Manx:
jough laynt
— substance
Manx:
jough lheeys
— substance
Manx:
reeneyder
— substance
Portuguese:
tónico
— substance
Portuguese:
tônico
— substance
Russian:
то́ник
(tónik)
— substance
Spanish:
tónico
— substance
Turkish:
tonik
— substance
Finnish:
piristysruiske
— figuratively: something that reinvigorates
German:
erfrischend
— figuratively: something that reinvigorates
German:
belebend
— figuratively: something that reinvigorates
Portuguese:
tónico
— figuratively: something that reinvigorates
Portuguese:
tônico
— figuratively: something that reinvigorates
Chinese Mandarin:
主音
(zhǔyīn)
— first note of a scale