undertone
noun
a low or subdued tone.
undertones
-
pluralof undertone.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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 Odyssey,” in whatever format it is seen, is an epic adventure with emotional undertones beyond the original story and an existential message that resonates far more than its smattering of modern language.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Kevin Warsh’s address was terse following his first Fed meeting as chair, but his messaging carried decidedly hawkish undertones, fueling bets that the central bank may raise interest rates later this year.
From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026
Meanwhile, John Lewis’s festive advert explores masculinity and emotion, leading some analysts to suggest it has undertones of one the year's biggest TV shows, Netflix drama Adolescence.
From BBC ● Nov. 8, 2025
Co-written and directed by Rebecca Zlotowski with comic undertones, it’s a caper about an American therapist living in France who suspects she hasn’t been told the truth about a patient’s demise.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2025
He learned to listen to the undertones of her voice.
From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko
