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

In our age of misinformation, disinformation and artificial intelligence, the artist’s frank exposure of what’s operating behind the curtain is tonic. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024

And even if the tonic issue started out as a theory and sounded a bit paranoid, guess what? —Paul Tassi, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Research has found that turmeric supplements may delay the onset of tonic-clonic seizures as well as myoclonic jerks. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 18 Oct. 2022

Across the courtyard from the tonic bar is an indoor/outdoor smoking space about the size of all three cabanas smooshed together and an eastern-facing glass wall that slides open. —Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2022

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