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
Medvedev is known for his sarcastic and at times biting humor on social media, often with dark undertones.
—
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Here is what the judges had to say: Vibrant fruity nose underscored by creamy undertones.
—Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Warm it up in a warm mauve color with a hint of brown undertones.
—Celeste Polanco, Essence, 3 June 2025
Its centerpiece is a joyous scene (albeit one laced with poignant undertones) where Chuck (Tom Hiddleston) and a stranger named Janice (Annalise Basso) dance in the street to the drums of a busker (played by a dynamo who goes by the moniker, The Pocket Queen).
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for undertone
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Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Here is what the judges had to say: Vibrant fruity nose underscored by creamy undertones.
—Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Warm it up in a warm mauve color with a hint of brown undertones.
—Celeste Polanco, Essence, 3 June 2025
Its centerpiece is a joyous scene (albeit one laced with poignant undertones) where Chuck (Tom Hiddleston) and a stranger named Janice (Annalise Basso) dance in the street to the drums of a busker (played by a dynamo who goes by the moniker, The Pocket Queen).
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for undertone
Cite this Entry
“Undertone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undertone. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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