undertone
[ uhn-der-tohn ]
/ ˈʌn dərˌtoʊn /
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.
RELATED CONTENT
RELATED WORDS
undercurrent, tinge, overtone, connotation, atmosphere, trace, hint, hum, mutter, rumor, murmur, buzz, touch, implication, feeling, mumble, flavor, association
Nearby words
underthings, underthroating, underthrust, undertime, undertint, undertone, undertook, undertow, undertrick, undertrump, underused
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
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Word Origin and History for undertone
undertone
1762, "low or subdued tone," from under + tone. Figurative sense of "undercurrent of feelings, etc.," is attested from 1861.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper