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

In your living room and bedroom, embrace white or cream fabrics featuring warm undertones and soft textures for a fluffy, frosty ambiance. —Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2025

Very Peri blended blues with a violet-red undertone, creating a deep periwinkle shade. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025

Of course, the political undertones are nothing compared to the threat and opportunity posed by AI. —Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 26 Nov. 2025

The shade feels has a cool undertone to it that makes my teeth look whiter and brighter, too. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 25 Nov. 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