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Meaning & use

clipped tone

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌklɪpt ˈtəʊn/
US/ˌklɪpt ˈtoʊn/

Meanings

  1. nounsingular

    A way of speaking in short, sharp, precise words, often showing annoyance, coldness or a wish to end the conversation.

    Grammar: Usually used with an or the and often follows in: she answered in a clipped tone.

    Patterns

    • in a clipped tone
    • speak with a clipped tone

    She answered in a clipped tone, and I knew she was upset.

    His clipped tone made it clear the meeting was over.

    The manager used a clipped tone when she read out the new rules.

  2. nounsingularBritish

    A crisp, formal style of speech, associated with careful pronunciation and few extra words.

    Grammar: Often describes an accent or manner rather than a mood: a clipped tone, not a clipped mood.

    Patterns

    • a clipped tone of voice

    The newsreader had a clipped tone that was easy to follow.

    He spoke with the clipped tone of an old army officer.

    Her clipped tone gave every sentence a businesslike feel.

Word forms

pluralclipped tones

Common combinations

say in a clipped tone
"Please sit down," he said in a clipped tone.
reply in a clipped tone
She replied in a clipped tone and turned away.
a cold, clipped tone
His cold, clipped tone chilled the room.
notice a clipped tone
I noticed a clipped tone in her email.
adopt a clipped tone
The officer adopted a clipped tone to keep order.

Synonyms and how they differ

curt tone
A curt tone stresses rudeness through shortness, while a clipped tone can also describe neat, precise speech without rudeness.
terse tone
A terse tone is very brief and to the point, but it does not always carry the sharp, precise sound of clipped speech.
brusque manner
Brusque describes overall behavior, whereas a clipped tone is limited to how the voice sounds.

Opposites

warm tone

Word family

clipped adjective
short, sharp and precise when speaking
clip verb
to cut short or pronounce quickly
tone noun
the quality or mood of a voice
clippedly adverb
in a short, sharp way (rare)

Commonly confused: clipped tone or clipped speech?

clipped tone vs clipped speech

Clipped speech refers to the manner of speaking in general, while a clipped tone points to the mood or attitude the voice carries.

Practice

Why might a colleague reply to your question in a clipped tone?

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