DEFINITIONS
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undertone

[ uhn-der-tohn ]
/ ˈʌn dərˌtoʊn /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR undertone ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a low or subdued tone: to speak in undertones.
an unobtrusive or background sound: an undertone of static from the receiver.
an underlying quality or element; undercurrent: There was an undertone of regret in his refusal.
a subdued color; a color modified by an underlying color.

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Words related to undertone

undercurrent, tinge, overtone, connotation, atmosphere, trace, hint, hum, mutter, rumor, murmur, buzz, touch, implication, feeling, mumble, flavor, association

Words nearby undertone

underthings, underthroating, underthrust, undertime, undertint, undertone, undertook, undertow, undertrick, undertrump, underused

Origin of undertone

First recorded in 1800–10; under- + tone
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for undertone

British Dictionary definitions for undertone

undertone
/ (ˈʌndəˌtəʊn) /

noun

a quiet or hushed tone of voice
an underlying tone or suggestion in words or actionshis offer has undertones of dishonesty
a pale or subdued colour
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012