Definition
The perceived emotional quality, attitude, or mood conveyed through written words, inflection of language, word choice, or punctuation; the implicit feeling behind a message.
Example Usage
I know you're just joking, but your tone came across as really mean.
Origin
From the musical sense of pitch and quality of sound; extended to the emotional 'color' of communication.
Fun Fact
Tone is one of the most misunderstood elements of text-based communication, as readers often project their own emotional state onto ambiguous messages.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
Related Terms
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See “tone” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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