undertone
Americannoun
-
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.
noun
-
a quiet or hushed tone of voice
-
an underlying tone or suggestion in words or actions
his offer has undertones of dishonesty
-
a pale or subdued colour
Etymology
Origin of undertone
Explanation
An undertone is literally a muted tone of voice, but it can also refer to an unspoken, implied meaning or emotion: "I thought there were undertones of hostility in her supposed apology." An undertone is a muted color or sound, like the blue undertones in your new gray wallpaper or the undertones of murmured conversations in a busy restaurant. When someone speaks in an undertone, it means that they whisper or talk very softly. You might tell you sister about your dad's surprise party in an undertone, so he doesn't overhear. These days, the word is most commonly used to refer to a subtle or implied meaning in an utterance.
Vocabulary lists containing undertone
All My Sons
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Greatest: Muhammad Ali
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Shane
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
In the history of Musk, meanwhile, an odd undertone entered the conversation this week.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026
The visual gags that are part of Jake’s physical travails not only elicit chuckles but add a neurodivergent undertone to the story.
From Salon • Dec. 19, 2025
Along with a religious undertone, "they are what get people through the dark time", she explains.
From BBC • Nov. 28, 2025
And that adds a particularly tragic undertone to the coming persecution of the capital’s homeless people: Studies show that most homeless people were residents before they lost their homes.
From Slate • Aug. 13, 2025
It stayed there for the rest of her life, an undertone that made her singing voice memorable.
From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry
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.
