tonic

1 of 2

noun

ton·​ic ˈtä-nik 

1

a

: tonic water

b

: an agent (such as a drug) that increases body tone

c

: one that invigorates, restores, refreshes, or stimulates

a day in the country was a tonic for him

d

: a liquid preparation for the scalp or hair

e

chiefly New England : a carbonated flavored beverage

2

: the first tone of a major or minor scale : keynote

3

: a voiced sound

tonic

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: characterized by tonus

tonic contraction of muscle

also : marked by prolonged muscular contraction

tonic convulsions

b

: producing or adapted to produce healthy muscular condition and reaction of organs (such as muscles)

2

a

: increasing or restoring physical or mental tone : refreshing

b

: yielding a tonic substance

3

: relating to or based on the first tone of a scale

tonic harmony

4

of a syllable : bearing a principal stress or accent

5

: of or relating to speech tones or to languages using them to distinguish words otherwise identical

tonically

ˈtä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

Adjective

• bracing
• cordial
• invigorating
• refreshing
• rejuvenating
• restorative
• reviving
• stimulating
• stimulative
• vital
• vitalizing

Examples of tonic in a Sentence

Adjective

breathe in clear tonic mountain air

never underestimate the tonic power of humor on a sick person

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Think aloe, melon, resort towels, and a tray of gin and tonics. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 16 May 2024

Ambitions of that type already fell flat with the director’s last non-Max feature, the tedious djinn and tonic Three Thousand Years of Longing. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Greek tonikos, from tonos tension, tone

First Known Use

Noun

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing tonic

• tonic accent
• tonic sol-fa
• tonic water

Kids Definition

tonic

1 of 2 adjective

ton·​ic ˈtän-ik 

1

: making (as the mind or body) stronger or healthier

2

: relating to or based on the first tone of a scale

tonic chord

tonic harmony

tonic

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a medicine that increases body tone

b

: a liquid to be used on the hair or scalp

c

chiefly New England : soda pop

d

: tonic water

2

: the first tone of a scale

Medical Definition

tonic

1 of 2 adjective

ton·​ic ˈtän-ik 

1

a

: characterized by tonus

tonic contraction of muscle

also : marked by or being prolonged muscular contraction

tonic convulsions

b

: producing or adapted to produce healthy muscular condition and reaction of organs (as muscles)

2

a

: increasing or restoring physical or mental tone

b

: yielding a tonic substance

tonically

ˈtän-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

tonic

2 of 2 noun

: an agent (as a drug) that increases body tone