overtone

noun

over·​tone ˈō-vər-ˌtōn 

1

a

: one of the higher tones produced simultaneously with the fundamental and that with the fundamental comprise a complex musical tone : harmonic sense 1a

b

: harmonic sense 2

2

: the color of the light reflected (as by a paint)

3

: a secondary effect, quality, or meaning : suggestion, connotation

Examples of overtone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Given Fox and Stoller’s comedy background, Clue would likely have comedic overtones in the vein of Knives Out, which is in the same whodunit genre. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025

Schottenstein, an Orthodox Jew, expressed confusion at accusations that the campaign contained eugenic overtones. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025

There is no religious overtone. —John Wisely, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025

Not only were the overtones present, but the pattern of pitch and decay matched predictions for the black hole's mass and spin derived using the general theory of relativity. —Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for overtone

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

Kids Definition

overtone

noun

over·​tone -ˌtōn 

1

: any of a series of higher tones related to and produced along with a base tone that make up the whole sound of a musical tone

2

: an accompanying result, quality, or meaning : suggestion

the words carried an overtone of menace

Medical Definition

overtone

noun

over·​tone ˈō-vər-ˌtōn 

: one of the higher tones produced simultaneously with the fundamental and that with the fundamental comprise a complex musical tone