Treble describes the high-pitched sounds in music, like the notes a flute or violin plays, or a soprano singer's voice. When you adjust the treble on a stereo or phone, you're making those crisp, bright sounds louder or softer. Bass handles the low, rumbling sounds, while treble handles the sharp, clear ones at the top of the musical range.

The word comes from music notation, where the treble clef (that curly symbol at the start of sheet music) marks the staff for higher notes. Piano players read treble clef with their right hand for the higher keys, while their left hand reads bass clef for the lower keys.

Treble can also be a noun for the high part in music, like the highest notes in a chord or the part sung by the highest voices in a choir.

As a verb, treble means to multiply something by three. If you treble the recipe for cookies, you're making three times as many. A company that trebles its profits makes three times what it made before. So whether you're adjusting high sounds on your speaker or tripling your savings, you're working with treble.