trebly

The singer's voice sounded trebly through the small speakers.

Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Three times: "trebly" means in a way that is three times as much or to three times the degree; triply.
   • Music: In a high-pitched, shrill, or soprano manner (related to "treble" as a high-pitched voice or sound).

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • The cost of living has increased trebly over the past decade. (Increased threefold.)
  • She sang trebly, her voice soaring above the chorus. (In a high-pitched, treble manner.)

Advanced Usage

• "trebly so": used for emphasis to indicate something is three times as true or applicable.

  • He was ambitious, and trebly so after his promotion. (Three times as ambitious.)

• "trebly clear": to be three times as clear or distinct.

  • The instructions were trebly clear after the second revision. (Much clearer, by a factor of three.)

Variants and Related Words

• Treble (adj/n/v): referring to a threefold amount, a high-pitched voice or instrument, or to multiply by three.
  • He scored a treble in the game. (Three goals.)
  • The treble clef is used for high notes. (High-pitched musical notation.)
• Triply (adv): a synonym meaning in a threefold manner.
  • The benefits were triply advantageous. (Three times as beneficial.)

Synonyms

• Threefold: to three times the extent or degree.
• Triply: in a triple manner.

Phrasal Verbs

• None directly associated with "trebly," as it is an adverb. However, the verb treble can be used:
  • Treble up: to increase by three times.

    • The company trebled up its production capacity. (Increased threefold.)

Related Idioms

• Treble the trouble: a phrase meaning three times the difficulty or problem.
  • With three children, it's treble the trouble. (Three times the difficulty.)

Note: "Trebly" is a relatively rare word in modern English, most often encountered in formal or musical contexts. Its primary meaning is "three times" or "in a treble manner."