Overtone: meaning, definitions and examples

Often used in music and acoustics to describe a higher frequency sound that accompanies the main note, adding richness and complexity to the sound.

• The violin's overtone made the melody more captivating.
• You can hear a distinct overtone in the singer's voice.

Commonly used in physics and music to refer to frequencies that are integer multiples of a fundamental frequency, contributing to the timbre of a sound.

• The harmonic frequencies in the guitar string create a beautiful resonance.
• He adjusted the harmonics to achieve a purer sound.

Used similarly to 'partial' in describing individual frequency components within a complex sound, often emphasizing the relationship to the whole sound.

• She focused on the partial tones to understand the instrument’s acoustic properties.
• Understanding partial tones helps in designing better musical instruments.

This word can also refer to an indirect suggestion or connotation in speech or text, often implying something without stating it explicitly.

• Her speech had political overtones that were not immediately obvious.
• There was an emotional overtone to his words that indicated he was upset.

Refers to a subtle or muted tone or suggestion that lies beneath the surface, often conveying additional meaning or emotion. It can sometimes carry a negative connotation.

• Her kind words had an undertone of sarcasm.
• The painting had a warm color palette with cool undertones that created a sense of depth.

Describes the underlying meaning or message that is not immediately obvious, often in literature, film, or conversation.

• The subtext of the movie suggested a critique of modern society.
• While the dialogue seemed simple, the subtext revealed a deeper relationship between the characters.