undertone

noun

un·​der·​tone ˈən-dər-ˌtōn 

1

: a low or subdued utterance or accompanying sound

She commented in an undertone that the music was not very good.

2

: a quality (as of emotion) that is present but not clear or obvious

The play is a comedy with dark undertones.

—often used with of

There was an undertone of fear in the city.

3

: a subdued color

specifically : a color seen through and modifying another color

a shade of blue with gray undertones

4

: a secondary or underlying flavor or scent

coffee with undertones of chocolate

Examples of undertone in a Sentence

She commented in an undertone that the music was really not very good.

The play is a comedy with dark undertones.

The fabric is a rich brown color with undertones of red.

Recent Examples on the Web

But that message carries a weird, even depressing undertone. —Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026

Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Mar. 2026

The image invokes a children’s coloring book with darker undertones, blending various cartoon and drawing styles to depict Adam and Eve in paradise. —Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026

The weekend box office hopes to hold it together after the successful launch of Pixar’s Hoppers, with Universal delivering the third feature take of a Colleen Hoover novel to the screen in Reminders of Him, and A24 hoping for one of its indie horror pics, undertone, to overperform. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for undertone

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

Kids Definition

undertone

noun

un·​der·​tone ˈən-dər-ˌtōn 

1

: a low or quiet tone

2

: a faint color as seen through and changing another color