overtone
Americannoun
-
Music. an acoustical frequency that is higher in frequency than the fundamental.
-
an additional, usually subsidiary and implicit meaning or quality.
an aesthetic theory with definite political overtones.
- Synonyms:
- hint, intimation, suggestion, insinuation
noun
Etymology
Origin of overtone
Vocabulary lists containing overtone
Waves and Wave Properties - Middle School
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Waves and Wave Properties - High School
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Physics - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The significant difference in the masses of the colliding black holes also produced a "higher harmonic," a kind of overtone similar to those heard in musical instruments.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 30, 2025
Swarming “microclusters” created by this tuning morph in and out of radiant, complex overtone harmonies.
From New York Times ● Jan. 17, 2024
A Times review mercilessly ridiculed the French composer’s explanations of his “spectral” technique, a fanciful use of the harmonic overtone series to create a sense of aural wonderment in the listener.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2022
“The positive overtone will be extremely important because we can expect Beijing to turn to Taiwan, to appeal for some kind of dialogue.”
From Washington Times ● Jun. 27, 2022
I even pitched my voice to a low plane, trying to rob it of any suggestion or overtone of aggressiveness.
From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
