undertone

noun

un·​der·​tone ˈən-dər-ˌtōn 

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 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

The track describes a friendship with romantic undertones that Swift regrets not acting upon. —Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025

Nonetheless, commonplace platitudes about honor and bravery take precedence over the feminist undertones Wyatt may aspire to. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025

Her makeup and hair also featured warm undertones — her brunette hair featured blond highlights and her eye makeup accentuated her brown eyes. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025

Deep skin tones are often all assumed to have warm undertones, which is a myth. —Essence, 30 Sep. 2025

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