treble

[ treb-uhl ]

adjective

1. threefold; triple.
2. Music.
   1. of or relating to the highest part in harmonized music; soprano.
   2. of the highest pitch or range, as a voice part, voice, singer, or instrument.
   3. high in pitch; shrill.

noun

1. Music.
   1. the treble or soprano part.
   2. a treble voice, singer, or instrument.
2. a high or shrill voice or sound.
3. the highest-pitched peal of a bell.

verb (used with or without object)

, tre·bled, tre·bling.

1. to make or become three times as much or as many; triple.

treble

/ ˈtrɛbəl /

adjective

1. threefold; triple
2. of, relating to, or denoting a soprano voice or part or a high-pitched instrument

noun

1. three times the amount, size, etc
2. a soprano voice or part or a high-pitched instrument
3. the highest register of a musical instrument
4. 1. the high-frequency response of an audio amplifier, esp in a record player or tape recorder
   2. a control knob on such an instrument by means of which the high-frequency gain can be increased or decreased
5. Leisure:Bell-ringing the lightest and highest bell in a ring
6. 1. the narrow inner ring on a dartboard
   2. a hit on this ring

verb

1. to make or become three times as much

Derived Forms

• ˈtrebly, adverbadjective
• ˈtrebleness, noun

Other Words From

• tre·bly [treb, -lee], adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of treble¹

1275–1325; (adj. and noun) Middle English < Middle French < Latin triplus triple; (v.) Middle English treblen, derivative of the adj.

Word History and Origins

Origin of treble¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin triplus threefold, triple

Example Sentences

In the following season, City became the first men's team to win the domestic treble in England, rounded off by an emphatic 6-0 FA Cup final win over Watford.

From BBC

In the deciding leg Littler held his nerve and nailed treble 18, double 16, to seal victory and a place in the last eight.

From BBC

They have also agreed to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, and to treble renewable power by 2030.

From BBC

The figure trebled in the Premier League from 24 to 80, with referees' chief Webb saying the "culture change" to try to "reset behaviours" towards officials was "early days" but "moving in the right direction".

From BBC

The area of land surface affected by drought has trebled since the 1980s, a new report into the effects of climate change has revealed.

From BBC

Related Words

• high-pitched
• soprano