treble
treble — determiner
1. equal to three times a given quantity, whether in measurement, count, or physica
equal to three times a given quantity, whether in measurement, count, or physical size — placed before a noun phrase to show multiplication by three
Lan's new job pays treble the salary she earned at her previous company.
treble the + noun — quantity comparison
The flat in the city centre costs treble the price of one across the river.
This bread recipe uses treble the amount of flour that the standard one calls for.
Ife's garden produced treble the number of tomatoes this year compared to last season.
- triple
more common in American English; identical meaning
- one-third
a third of the amount or size
文法句型
treble + the + noun
treble + determiner + noun
用法筆記
Used mainly in British English; American English typically uses 'triple' instead. The noun phrase after 'treble' usually begins with 'the' or a possessive determiner.
常見錯誤
treble — verb
- treblepresent simple I / you / we / they
- trebles3rd person singular
- trebling-ing form
- trebledpast simple
1. to become three times larger in size, amount, or value, or to cause something to
to become three times larger in size, amount, or value, or to cause something to reach three times its original measure
The town's population has trebled since the new factory opened ten years ago.
intransitive: population + treble
Anna trebled her savings within five years by investing part of every pay cheque.
transitive: person + treble + object
Leo's small coffee shop trebled its monthly revenue after customers discovered his special blend.
The value of their grandparents' house has trebled in the past two decades.
Tariro trebled the soup recipe so there would be enough for everyone at the party.
- triple
more common in American English; same meaning
- increase threefold
slightly more formal; often used in writing
- halve
to reduce to half the original amount
文法句型
treble + noun phrase
noun phrase + treble
treble in + noun phrase
用法筆記
Intransitive (subject is the thing that grows) is more common. The transitive pattern (someone trebles something) is also frequent in financial and cooking contexts. American English prefers 'triple' in both patterns.
常見錯誤
2. to sing the highest vocal part in a choir or musical piece, typically as a boy w
to sing the highest vocal part in a choir or musical piece, typically as a boy whose voice has not yet deepened
Samir used to treble in the church choir when he was nine years old.
treble in [choir / group]
At the audition, young Diego was asked to treble for the children's opera production.
Eliska trebled beautifully in the school musical before her voice changed at thirteen.
Boys whose voices have not yet changed can treble in many traditional choral works.
- sing soprano
more general term for the highest vocal part; not restricted to boys
文法句型
treble + adverbial
treble in [group]
用法筆記
Almost always refers to boys singing the soprano line. Girls who sing the same part are usually called sopranos, not trebles. The verb is rare in everyday conversation.
treble — adverb
1. in a way that produces or relates to the highest range of notes in music — used
in a way that produces or relates to the highest range of notes in music — used after verbs such as 'sing' or 'play' to describe the vocal or instrumental part being performed
The youngest members of the choir still sing treble while the older boys sing tenor.
sing treble — manner adverbial
In this piece, the violins play treble while the cellos carry the bass line.
Asher's voice, still unchanged, allowed him to perform treble in the cathedral choir.
The flute section plays treble throughout the second movement of the symphony.
- bass
the lowest range of musical notes or vocal part
文法句型
sing treble
play treble
用法筆記
Functions as an adverb of manner directly after verbs like 'sing' and 'play'. When used before a noun ('a treble voice'), it functions as an adjective instead.
常見錯誤
treble — noun
- treblesingular
- treblesplural
1. a boy whose voice has not yet deepened and who sings the highest part in a choir
a boy whose voice has not yet deepened and who sings the highest part in a choir or vocal group
The cathedral choir currently has six trebles and four adult tenors.
countable: six trebles
Ari started singing as a treble at the local music school when he was seven.
as a treble — role pattern
The composer wrote the solo part for a boy treble with a clear, light voice.
Noa was one of the finest trebles the chapel choir had ever trained.
- soprano
used for female or adult singers with the same vocal range
- bass
the lowest adult male voice
文法句型
a treble
boy treble
treble + verb
用法筆記
Refers specifically to boys. A girl singing the same part is called a soprano, not a treble, even though the vocal range is identical.
常見錯誤
2. the feat of winning three major trophies during one sporting year, especially in
the feat of winning three major trophies during one sporting year, especially in football (soccer)
FC Barcelona won an historic treble in 2015 — the league, the cup, and the Champions League.
win a treble — collocation
Only a few European clubs have achieved a domestic and European treble in one year.
The manager led the underdog team to a treble that no one had predicted.
Winning the treble requires exceptional squad depth and a fair amount of luck with injuries.
- triple crown
used in horse racing, rugby, and baseball for three related titles
文法句型
win a treble
achieve a treble
the treble
用法筆記
Most commonly used in association football (soccer) for a club that wins its domestic league, its domestic cup, and the continental championship in one season. Occasionally extended to other sports.
常見錯誤
3. the range of high-pitched sounds in music or audio, including the upper part of
the range of high-pitched sounds in music or audio, including the upper part of a musical score, the higher frequencies in a sound system, or the high tones produced by certain instruments or voices
Defne turned up the treble on her headphones to hear the violin melody more clearly.
adjust / turn up / turn down + the treble
The old radio crackled, but the treble of the flutes still came through clearly.
the treble of + instrument
On the stereo you can adjust bass and treble to get the sound you prefer.
The young pianist struggled with the treble notes in the right hand of the piece.
- high end
informal term for the higher frequencies in audio
- soprano range
specifically the highest human vocal range
- bass
the low-frequency range in music and audio
文法句型
the treble
treble + noun
adjust the treble
用法筆記
Often contrasted with 'bass' (low frequencies). In audio equipment, 'treble' controls are common alongside 'bass' controls. In musical notation, the treble clef indicates notes in this range.
常見錯誤
treble — adjective
- treblepositive
- treblercomparative
- treblestsuperlative
1. having a high pitch or range of frequencies — used to describe musical notes, in
having a high pitch or range of frequencies — used to describe musical notes, instruments, voices, or sounds that belong to the upper part of the audible spectrum
The treble notes of the music box filled the quiet bedroom with a delicate sound.
treble notes / treble tones
Lan prefers headphones that bring out the treble tones clearly without sounding harsh.
The little bird's treble call was easy to pick out among the deeper forest sounds.
As a treble instrument, the piccolo produces notes that cut through the full orchestra.
- high-pitched
more general term for any high sound
- soprano
specifically the highest female or child's vocal range
- bass
low-pitched, in the lowest vocal or instrumental range
文法句型
treble + noun
用法筆記
Use 'treble' for describing the quality or range of a sound, not its volume. For sounds that are unpleasantly high, 'shrill' or 'piercing' are more common.
常見錯誤
2. three times the usual size, amount, or rate — describing a quantity that has bee
three times the usual size, amount, or rate — describing a quantity that has been multiplied by three
The company reported a treble increase in quarterly profits, surprising market analysts.
treble increase / treble rise
Ife's restaurant faced a treble rise in ingredient costs after the supply chain broke down.
Landlords in the area demanded a treble rent increase, forcing many young tenants to move.
The trade agreement led to a treble volume of goods crossing the border each month.
- half
reduced by fifty per cent
文法句型
treble + noun
用法筆記
Most common in formal or written British English describing increases in prices, costs, or quantities. In everyday speech, 'triple' is far more common across both British and American varieties.
常見錯誤
3. consisting of three parts, components, or elements — describing something that h
consisting of three parts, components, or elements — describing something that has a three-part structure or serves three functions
A treble lock has three separate bolts for added security against break-ins.
treble + noun of structure
The company logo has a treble design, with three interlocking circles representing the founding families.
The award has a treble purpose: to recognise talent, encourage young artists, and build community.
The treaty created a treble alliance between the three neighbouring countries for mutual defence.
- triple
more common in all registers; preferred in modern English
- threefold
slightly more formal; used in abstract or figurative contexts
- three-part
neutral and transparent; good for learners
- single
consisting of one part or element
文法句型
treble + noun
用法筆記
A formal alternative to 'triple' or 'threefold'. Very rare in modern English outside legal, technical, or literary contexts. Learners are better served using 'triple' or 'three-part'.