Meaning & use

tonic

noun·Academic

Something that restores health, vigor, or a sense of wellbeing, or a carbonated, slightly bitter mixer drink.

See it in a sentence

A walk in the fresh air can be a real tonic after a stressful week.

He ordered a gin and tonic while waiting for his friend to arrive.

A note on using this word

In music, "tonic" also names the first note of a scale, the key note a piece feels centered around.

Words with a similar meaning

restorativepick-me-up

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. noun

The first and central note of a musical scale, around which a key is built.

The song resolves back to the tonic note, giving it a satisfying sense of closure.

Make it your own

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