warm-toned
|warm-toned|
🇺🇸
/ˈwɔrm.toʊnd/
🇬🇧
/ˈwɔːm.təʊnd/
having warm colors
Etymology
'warm-toned' originates from modern English as a compound of the words 'warm' and 'toned'; 'warm' ultimately comes from Old English 'wearm' where 'wearm' meant 'moderately hot', and 'tone' derives from Latin 'tonus' (via French/Greek 'tonos') where 'tonos' meant 'pitch' or 'tone'.
'warm' changed from the Old English word 'wearm' and remained 'warm' in Modern English; 'tone' entered English via Old French 'ton' from Latin 'tonus' (Greek 'tonos'), became English 'tone' and then adjectival 'toned', leading to the compound 'warm-toned' in modern usage.
Initially, 'warm' meant 'moderately hot' and 'tone' referred mainly to sound or pitch; over time 'tone' extended to color quality, so 'warm-toned' evolved to mean 'having warm colors or warm undertones' in visual contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having colors or hues that are warm in appearance (reds, oranges, yellows); used of palettes, lighting, photos, or images.
The photo has a warm-toned look that flatters skin.
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Adjective 2
having a warm undertone (a slight yellow/red base) in skin, materials, or finishes as opposed to a cool undertone.
She chose a warm-toned foundation to match her complexion.
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Last updated: 2025/09/04 19:40