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undertone


un·der·tone

noun \ˈən-dər-ˌtōn\

Definition of UNDERTONE

1
: a low or subdued utterance or accompanying sound
2
: a quality (as of emotion) underlying the surface of an utterance or action
3
: a subdued color; specifically : a color seen through and modifying another color

Examples of UNDERTONE

  1. She commented in an undertone that the music was really not very good.
  2. The play is a comedy with dark undertones.
  3. The fabric is a rich brown color with undertones of red.

First Known Use of UNDERTONE

1806

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