Tonic Definition & Meaning
tonic
- adjective
- of or relating to or producing normal tone or tonus in muscles or tissue; "a tonic reflex"; "tonic muscle contraction"
- employing variations in pitch to distinguish meanings of otherwise similar words; "Chinese is a tonal language"
- used of syllables; "a tonic syllables carries the main stress in a word"
- relating to or being the keynote of a major or minor scale; "tonic harmony"
- imparting vitality and energy; "the bracing mountain air"
- noun
- lime- or lemon-flavored carbonated water containing quinine
- a sweet drink containing carbonated water and flavoring; "in New England they call sodas tonics"
- (music) the first note of a diatonic scale
- a medicine that strengthens and invigorates
"Tonic" in song lyrics
See how tonic is used in real songs:
-
"Gets ya body up just like a roots tonic"
Afu-Ra — Whirlwind Thru Cities -
"And let my tigers hold the gin and tonic"
Dre Dog (Andre Nickatina) — All Star Chuck Taylors -
"Tanqueray with the lemon, ice with the tonic"
The Beanuts f/ V.I.C. — Fried Chicken
Words that rhyme with tonic
Usage tips for "tonic"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "tonic" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for tonic to find words that pair well.