treble

¹tre·ble

noun \ˈtre-bəl\

Definition of TREBLE

1

a : the highest voice part in harmonic music : soprano

b : one that performs a treble part; also : a member of a family of instruments having the highest range

c : a high-pitched or shrill voice, tone, or sound

d : the upper half of the whole vocal or instrumental tonal range — compare bass

e : the higher portion of the audio frequency range in sound recording and broadcasting

2

: something treble in construction, uses, amount, number, or value

Examples of TREBLE

1. Turn down the treble on the radio and turn up the bass.
2. The part is sung by a boy treble.

Origin of TREBLE

Middle English, the highest part in a three-part composition, from treble, adjective

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Audio Recording Terms

baffle, dub, fidelity, transcription

Rhymes with TREBLE

pebble, Preble, rebel

²treble

adjective

Definition of TREBLE

1

a : having three parts or uses : threefold

b : triple in number or amount

2

a : relating to or having the range or part of a treble

b : high-pitched, shrill

c : of, relating to, or having the range of treble in sound recording and broadcasting <treble frequencies>

— tre·bly \ˈtre-b(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of TREBLE

1. <the treble shrieks of children at play>
2. <a treble painting, with each panel telling a different part of the Nativity story>

Origin of TREBLE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin triplus — more at triple

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to TREBLE

Synonyms

high-pitched, piping, screeching, shrieking, squeaking, squeaky, shrill, whistling

Antonyms

bass, deep, grave, low, throaty

Related Words

peeping, thin, tinny; earsplitting, nasal, penetrating, piercing, sharp, strident; squealing, whining, whiny (also whiney), yapping, yelping

Near Antonyms

gruff, hoarse, husky, rough, smoky (also smokey)

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, presto, refrain, riff, segue

Rhymes with TREBLE

pebble, rebel

³treble

verb

tre·bledtre·bling \ˈtre-b(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of TREBLE

transitive verb

: to increase threefold

intransitive verb

1

: to sing treble

2

: to grow to three times the size, amount, or number

Examples of TREBLE

1. She trebled her earnings in only two years.
2. Prices have trebled in only two years.

First Known Use of TREBLE

14th century