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

Simply find your wood's undertone on the wheel and look across for its opposite. —Monika Biegler Eyers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025

Sand effects reveal gray and beige undertones, while natural unbleached white denim is imperfect. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Oct. 2025

As much as Resurrection is a story centered on a father and son, there was a lot of Harrison’s mother, Rita, in the undertones of the season. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025

More specifically, they were drawn to subtle yet modern aesthetics with timeless undertones. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 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