What Is Tone?
Tone in writing refers to the writer’s attitude toward the reader and the subject of the message. In other words, tone refers to how a writer uses certain words in a specific way to convey non-verbal observations about specific subjects. Not only does tone help to deliver facts, but it deliver them with an attitude, emotion or personal perspective.
The tone is sometimes used interchangeably with the voice of the author. However, the two are very different. A writer’s voice is a perspective of their personality whereas tone of a writer conveys their attitude about what is being written about. If the tone is combined with voice, then this will create a specific writing style that can be attributed to that writer.
Types of Tone
- Joyful
- Serious
- Humorous
- Sad
- Formal
- Informal
- Optimistic
- Pessimistic
- Horror
- Hypocritical
- Fearful
- Hopeful
- Sincere
Words To Describe Tone
| No | Tone Word | Meaning |
| 1 | Abashed | Ashamed or embarrassed; also, disconcerted |
| 2 | Awestruck | Amazed, filled with wonder/awe; reverential |
| 3 | Acerbic | Sharp; forthright; biting; hurtful; abrasive; severe. |
| 4 | Ambivalent | Having mixed feelings; uncertain; in a dilemma; undecided. |
| 5 | Absurd | Ridiculous; silly. |
| 6 | Accusatory | A tone of accusation; to accuse of a crime or offense |
| 7 | Angry | Incensed or enraged; threatening or menacing. |
| 8 | Admonishing | Cautioning, reproving or scolding; especially in a mild and good-willed manner; reminding. |
| 9 | Admiring | Approving; think highly of; respectful; praising |
| 10 | Aggressive | Hostile; determined; forceful; argumentative |
| 11 | Adoring | To regard with esteem, love, and respect; honor. |
| 12 | Amused | Pleasurably entertained, occupied, or diverted. |
| 13 | Aggrieved | Indignant; annoyed; offended; disgruntled |
| 14 | Apathetic | Having or showing little or no emotion; indifferent or unresponsive. |
| 15 | Animated | Full of life or excitement; lively; spirited; impassioned; vibrant. |
| 16 | Apathetic | Showing little interest; lacking concern; indifferent; unemotional |
| 17 | Assertive | Self-confident; strong-willed; authoritative; insistent. |
| 18 | Apologetic | Full of regret; repentant; remorseful; acknowledging failure. |
| 19 | Ardent | Enthusiastic; passionate. |
| 20 | Appreciative | Grateful; thankful; showing pleasure; enthusiastic |
| 21 | Arrogant | Pompous; disdainful; overbearing; condescending; vain; scoffing. |
| 22 | Benevolent | Characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings. |
| 23 | Belligerent | hostile; aggressive; combatants |
| 24 | Bewildered | Completely puzzled or confused; perplexed |
| 25 | Biting | Sarcastic, having a biting or sarcastic tone. |
| 26 | Bitter | Characterized by intense antagonism or hostility. |
| 27 | Blunt | Abrupt in manner; obtuse. |
| 28 | Bold | Not hesitating or fearful in the face of danger or rebuff; courageous and daring. |
| 29 | Brusque | Abrupt in manner; blunt; rough. |
| 30 | Calm | Free from excitement or passion; tranquil. |
| 31 | Callous | Cruel disregard; unfeeling; uncaring; indifferent; ruthless |
| 32 | Cautionary | Gives warning; raises awareness; reminding |
| 33 | Candid | Frank; outspoken |
| 34 | Condescending | Stooping to the level of one’s inferiors; patronizing. |
| 35 | Caustic | Making biting, corrosive comments; critical |
| 36 | Cheery | Happy and optimistic |
| 37 | Confused | Unable to think clearly; bewildered; vague. |
| 38 | Churlish | Rude in mean-spirited and surly way. |
| 39 | Critical | Finding fault; disapproving; scathing; criticizing. |
| 40 | Contemptuous | Showing contempt; scornful; insolent; mocking. |
| 41 | Comic | Causing or meant to cause laughter. |
| 42 | Commanding | Imposing; having a position of authority. |
| 43 | Conceited | Having an excessively favorable opinion of one’s self or abilities. |
| 44 | Cruel | Causing pain and suffering; unkind; spiteful; severe. |
| 45 | Cautionary | Gives warning; raises awareness; reminding |
| 46 | Compassionate | Sympathetic; empathetic; warm-hearted; tolerant; kind. |
| 47 | Compliant | Agree or obey rules; acquiescent; flexible; submissive. |
| 48 | Contentious | Argumentative, quarrelsome. |
| 49 | Curt | Rudely brief in speech or abrupt. |
| 50 | Complex | Having many varying characteristics; complicated. |
| 51 | Celebratory | Praising; pay tribute to; glorify; honor |
| 52 | Curious | Wanting to find out more; inquisitive; questioning. |
| 53 | Colloquial | Familiar; everyday language; informal; colloquial; casual. |
| 54 | Desperate | Having an urgent need, desire. |
| 55 | Cynical | scornful of motives/virtues of others; mocking; sneering |
| 56 | Depressing | Sad, melancholic; discouraging; pessimistic |
| 57 | Disparaging | Dismissive; critical; scornful. |
| 58 | Disappointed | Discouraged; unhappy because something has gone wrong. |
| 59 | Detached | Impartial or objective; disinterested; unbiased/ not concerned; aloof. |
| 60 | Diabolic | Devilish; fiendish; outrageously wicked. |
| 61 | Disbelieving | To have no belief in; refuse or reject belief in. |
| 62 | Disdainful | Expressing contempt or disdain. |
| 63 | Disheartening | Discouraging; demoralizing; undermining; depressing. |
| 64 | Distressing | Heart-breaking; sad; troubling |
| 65 | Disgusted | To excite nausea or loathing in. To offend the taste or moral sense of. |
| 66 | Disrespectful | Showing a lack of respect; rude and discourteous. |
| 67 | Disturbed | Marked by symptoms of mental illness. |
| 68 | Docile | Compliant; submissive; deferential; accommodating |
| 69 | Doubtful | Uncertain outcome or result. |
| 70 | Dramatic | Of or pertaining to drama; excessively confrontational. |
| 71 | Dreary | Causing sadness or gloom. |
| 72 | Defensive | Defending a position; shielding; guarding; watchful |
| 73 | Demeaning | Disrespectful; undignified |
| 74 | Derisive | Snide; sarcastic; mocking; dismissive; scornful |
| 75 | Detached | Aloof; objective; unfeeling; distant. |
| 76 | Dignified | Serious; respectful; formal; proper. |
| 77 | Direct | Straightforward; honest. |
| 78 | Diplomatic | Tactful; subtle; sensitive; thoughtful |
| 79 | Dispassionate | Impartial; indifferent; unsentimental; cold; unsympathetic |
| 80 | Earnest | Serious in intention or sincerely zealous. |
| 81 | Ebullient | Overflowing with enthusiasm, or excitement; high-spirited. |
| 82 | Ecstatic | In a state of ecstasy; rapturous. |
| 83 | Encouraging | Optimistic; supportive |
| 84 | Effusive | Unreserved or unduly demonstrative. |
| 85 | Empathetic | Understanding; kind; sensitive. |
| 86 | Evasive | Ambiguous; cryptic; unclear. |
| 87 | Egotistical | Vain; boastful; indifferent to the well-being of others; selfish. |
| 88 | Enthusiastic | Excited; energetic |
| 89 | Elated | Very happy or proud; jubilant; in high spirits. |
| 90 | Embarrassed | To feel self-conscious or ill at ease. |
| 91 | Enraged | To make extremely angry; put into a rage; infuriate. |
| 92 | Enthusiastic | Excited; energetic. |
| 93 | Evasive | Ambiguous; cryptic; unclear. |
| 94 | Excited | Emotionally aroused; stirred. |
| 95 | Facetious | Inappropriate; flippant |
| 96 | Farcical | Ludicrous; absurd; mocking; humorous and highly improbable. |
| 97 | Flippant | Superficial; glib; shallow; thoughtless; frivolous. |
| 98 | Forceful | Powerful; energetic; confident; assertive. |
| 99 | Formal | Respectful; stilted; factual; following accepted styles/rules |
| 100 | Frank | Honest; direct; plain; matter-of-fact |
| 101 | Frustrated | Annoyed; discouraged. |
| 102 | Gentle | Kind; considerate; mild; soft |
| 103 | Ghoulish | Delighting in the revolting or the loathsome. |
| 104 | Grim | Serious; gloomy; depressing; lacking humor; macabre. |
| 105 | Gullible | Naïve; innocent; ignorant. |
| 106 | Hard | Unfeeling; hard-hearted; unyielding. |
| 107 | Humble | Deferential; modest. |
| 108 | Humorous | Amusing; entertaining; playful. |
| 109 | Hypercritical | Unreasonably critical; hair splitting; nitpicking |
| 110 | Impartial | Unbiased; neutral; objective. |
| 111 | Impassioned | Filled with emotion; ardent. |
| 112 | Imploring | Pleading; begging. |
| 113 | Impressionable | Trusting; child-like. |
| 114 | Inane | Silly; foolish; stupid; nonsensical. |
| 115 | Incensed | Enraged. |
| 116 | Incredulous | Disbelieving; unconvinced; questioning; suspicious. |
| 117 | Indignant | Annoyed; angry; dissatisfied. |
| 118 | Informative | Instructive; factual; educational. |
| 119 | Inspirational | Encouraging; reassuring. |
| 120 | Intense | Earnest; passionate; concentrated; deeply felt. |
| 121 | Intimate | Familiar; informal; confidential; confessional. |
| 122 | Ironic | The opposite of what is meant. |
| 123 | Irreverent | Lacking respect for things that are generally taken seriously. |
| 124 | Jaded | Bored; having had too much of the same thing; lack enthusiasm. |
| 125 | Joyful | Positive; optimistic; cheerful; elated. |
| 126 | Judgmental | Critical; finding fault; disparaging. |
| 127 | Laudatory | Praising; recommending. |
| 128 | Light-Hearted | Carefree; relaxed; chatty; humorous. |
| 129 | Loving | Affectionate; showing intense, deep concern. |
| 130 | Macabre | Gruesome; horrifying; frightening. |
| 131 | Malicious | Desiring to harm others or to see others suffer; ill-willed; spiteful. |
| 132 | Mean-Spirited | Inconsiderate; unsympathetic. |
| 133 | Mocking | Scornful; ridiculing; making fun of someone. |
| 134 | Mourning | Grieving; lamenting; woeful. |
| 135 | Naïve | Innocent; unsophisticated; immature. |
| 136 | Narcissistic | Self-admiring; selfish; boastful; self-pitying. |
| 137 | Nasty | Unpleasant; unkind; disagreeable; abusive. |
| 138 | Negative | Unhappy, pessimistic. |
| 139 | Nostalgic | Thinking about the past; wishing for something from the past. |
| 140 | Objective | Without prejudice; without discrimination; fair; based on fact. |
| 141 | Obsequious | Overly obedient and/or submissive; fawning; groveling. |
| 142 | Optimistic | Hopeful; cheerful. |
| 143 | Outraged | Angered and resentful; furious; extremely angered. |
| 144 | Outspoken | Frank; candid; spoken without reserve. |
| 145 | Pathetic | Expressing pity, sympathy, tenderness. |
| 146 | Patronizing | Condescending; scornful; pompous. |
| 147 | Pensive | Reflective; introspective; philosophical; contemplative. |
| 148 | Persuasive | Convincing; eloquent; influential; plausible. |
| 149 | Pessimistic | Seeing the negative side of things. |
| 150 | Philosophical | Theoretical; analytical; rational; logical. |
| 151 | Playful | Full of fun and good spirits; humorous; jesting. |
| 152 | Pragmatic | Realistic; sensible. |
| 153 | Pretentious | Affected; artificial; grandiose; rhetorical; flashy. |
| 154 | Regretful | Apologetic; remorseful. |
| 155 | Resentful | Aggrieved; offended; displeased; bitter. |
| 156 | Resigned | Accepting; unhappy. |
| 157 | Restrained | Controlled; quiet; unemotional. |
| 158 | Reverent | Showing deep respect and esteem. |
| 159 | Righteous | Morally right and just; guiltless; pious; god-fearing. |
| 160 | Satirical | Making fun to show a weakness; ridiculing; derisive. |
| 161 | Sarcastic | Scornful; mocking; ridiculing. |
| 162 | Scathing | Critical; stinging; unsparing; harsh. |
| 163 | Scornful | Expressing contempt or derision; scathing; dismissive. |
| 164 | Sensationalistic | Provocative; inaccurate; distasteful. |
| 165 | Sentimental | Thinking about feelings, especially when remembering the past. |
| 166 | Sincere | Honest; truthful; earnest. |
| 167 | Skeptical | Disbelieving; unconvinced; doubting. |
| 168 | Solemn | Not funny; in earnest; serious. |
| 169 | Subjective | Prejudiced; biased. |
| 170 | Submissive | Compliant; passive; accommodating; obedient. |
| 171 | Sulking | Bad-tempered; grumpy; resentful; sullen. |
| 172 | Sympathetic | Compassionate; understanding of how someone feels. |
| 173 | Thoughtful | Reflective; serious; absorbed. |
| 174 | Tolerant | Open-minded; charitable; patient; sympathetic; lenient. |
| 175 | Tragic | Disastrous; calamitous. |
| 176 | Unassuming | Modest; self-effacing; restrained. |
| 177 | Uneasy | Worried; uncomfortable; edgy; nervous. |
| 178 | Urgent | Insistent; saying something must be done soon. |
| 179 | Vindictive | Vengeful; spiteful; bitter; unforgiving. |
| 180 | Virtuous | Lawful; righteous; moral; upstanding. |
| 181 | Whimsical | Quaint; playful; mischievous; offbeat. |
| 182 | Witty | Clever; quick-witted; entertaining. |
| 183 | Wonder | Awe-struck; admiring; fascinating. |
| 184 | World-Weary | Bored; cynical; tired. |
| 185 | Worried | Anxious; stressed; fearful. |
| 186 | Wretched | Miserable; despairing; sorrowful; distressed. |
Also Read: Words To Describe Sounds