tonic

1 of 2

noun

ton·​ic ˈtä-nik How to pronounce tonic (audio)
1
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 adverb

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
Researchers found that a hair tonic containing lemongrass essential oil effectively reduced dandruff.7 It was significantly reduced at a week and even more at two weeks. Kathi Valeii, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024 Cocktails are $10 each and include the Malaga Spritz (white port, gin, tonic, lemon and olives) and the Shrub-a-Dub-Dub (seasonal shrub cocktail or mocktail). Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 18 Oct. 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 See all Example Sentences for tonic 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tonic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tonic was in 1649

Dictionary Entries Near tonic

Cite this Entry

“Tonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tonic. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

tonic

1 of 2 adjective
ton·​ic ˈtän-ik How to pronounce tonic (audio)
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
2
: the first tone of a scale

Medical Definition

tonic

1 of 2 adjective
ton·​ic ˈtän-ik How to pronounce tonic (audio)
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 adverb

tonic

2 of 2 noun
: an agent (as a drug) that increases body tone

More from Merriam-Webster on tonic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!