toner

[ toh-ner ]

noun

1. a person or thing that tones.
2. a highly concentrated organic pigment containing little or no inert matter.
3. a powder, either dry or dispersed in an organic liquid, used in xerography to produce the final image.
4. Also called chemical toner. Photography, Movies. a chemical solution used to change the color of and, in some cases, help preserve black-and-white prints and motion-picture film by altering or replacing the silver image.
5. a worker for a paint manufacturer who tests the color and quality of paint.
6. a cosmetic preparation, usually a liquid, used to restore firmness to the skin.

toner

/ ˈtəʊnə /

noun

1. a person or thing that tones or produces tones, esp a concentrated pure organic pigment
2. a cosmetic preparation that is applied to produce a required effect, such as one that softens or alters hair colour or one that reduces the oiliness of the skin
3. photog a chemical solution that softens or alters the colour of the tones of a photographic image
4. a powdered chemical used in photocopying machines and laser printers, which is transferred onto paper to form the printed image

Word History and Origins

Origin of toner¹

First recorded in 1885–90; tone + -er ¹

Example Sentences

“Sometimes I use toner. I also use the Aquaphor balm under my eyes to help with puffiness and stuff.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I went to Office Depot, but they didn’t have toner cartridges, and we weren’t able to print the ballots,” Wallace said Wednesday.

From Seattle Times

Best Buy and Staples stores typically take keyboards, printers, cellphones and toner cartridges.

From Seattle Times

For some printers, the fuser failed to consistently maintain the proper temperature to bond toner to the paper, resulting in ballots that could not be read by precinct-based tabulators.

From Seattle Times

Pena had to toss out all his materials — ink toners, vinyl rolls, packing materials.

From Los Angeles Times