tonic
10 synonyms and 0 antonyms for tonic, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A drink or medicine believed to restore health, energy, or well-being.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use tonic
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek tonikos, from tonos ("tension, pitch") — 18th-century doctors linked healthy muscle "tension" to overall vigor, giving us the medical sense.
Full origin of tonic →Frequently asked questions
What does “tonic” mean?
The word “tonic” means a drink or medicine believed to restore health, energy, or well-being. In plain terms, something restorative (a tonic drink or effect), a fizzy mixer (tonic water), or the home note of a musical key.
How do you pronounce “tonic”?
“Tonic” is pronounced TO-nihk (/ˈtɑ.nɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “tonic” in a sentence?
Here is “tonic” used in a sentence: “Grandma swore by her herbal tonic for colds.”
What part of speech is “tonic”?
Depending on how it is used, “tonic” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “tonic” come from?
The word “tonic” dates back to around 1700 and comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek tonikos, from tonos ("tension, pitch") — 18th-century doctors linked healthy muscle "tension" to overall vigor, giving us the medical sense.
Is “tonic” a common word?
“Tonic” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tonic” have?
“Tonic” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a drink or medicine believed to restore health, energy, or well-being.