overtone

noun

over·​tone ˈō-vər-ˌtōn 

1

a

: one of the higher tones produced simultaneously with the fundamental and that with the fundamental comprise a complex musical tone : harmonic sense 1a

b

: harmonic sense 2

2

: the color of the light reflected (as by a paint)

3

: a secondary effect, quality, or meaning : suggestion, connotation

Examples of overtone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For us as Jews, Easter has far more sinister overtones — of the passages from the Gospels that gave birth to modern antisemitism, of passion plays, pogroms, and emotional fuel for the literal fires that consumed our people. —Joshua Stanton, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025

There are racist overtones to its actions, as well as a commitment to class rigidity and constraining the prospects of mobility. —David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025

The setup of a disappearance, circumstantial evidence, love beyond death, and religious connections (such as a stunning scene in a confessional) has Hitchcockian overtones. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025

McCall's opposition carried obvious political overtones in an election year. —Jeff Stein and David J. Lynch The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 4 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for overtone

• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone

Kids Definition

overtone

noun

over·​tone -ˌtōn 

1

: any of a series of higher tones related to and produced along with a base tone that make up the whole sound of a musical tone

2

: an accompanying result, quality, or meaning : suggestion

the words carried an overtone of menace

Medical Definition

overtone

noun

over·​tone ˈō-vər-ˌtōn 

: one of the higher tones produced simultaneously with the fundamental and that with the fundamental comprise a complex musical tone