Undertone: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŽต
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undertone

 

[ หˆสŒndษ™tษ™สŠn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

musical

A subtle or underlying quality or feeling, often of a particular kind.

Synonyms

subtext, undercurrent

Examples of usage

  • The music had a dark undertone that added depth to the composition.
  • There was an undertone of sadness in her voice as she spoke about her past.
Context #2 | Noun

color

A color that is subtly different from another color.

Synonyms

hint of color, subtle shade

Examples of usage

  • The painting had a green undertone that gave it a unique hue.
  • Her hair had a red undertone that shone in the sunlight.
Context #3 | Noun

communication

An underlying meaning or implication in speech or writing.

Synonyms

hidden meaning, subtext

Examples of usage

  • His statement had a political undertone that was not immediately apparent.
  • There was an undertone of sarcasm in her words.

Translations

Translations of the word "undertone" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น subtom

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เค‚เคกเคฐเคŸเฅ‹เคจ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Unterton

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ nada dasar

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟั–ะดั‚ะตะบัั‚

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ podtekst

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ไธ‹ๅœฐใฎ่‰ฒ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท sous-ton

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ subtono

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท alt ton

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ €์Œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู†ุบู…ุฉ ุฎููŠุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ podtext

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ podtรณn

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅบ•่‰ฒ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ podton

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ undirliggjandi tรณnn

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐัั‚ั‹ั€ั‚ั‹ะฝ าฏะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฅแƒ•แƒ”แƒขแƒ”แƒฅแƒกแƒขแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ alt ton

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ subtono

Etymology

The word 'undertone' originated from the combination of 'under' and 'tone'. It first appeared in the English language in the mid-19th century. The concept of undertone has been used in various fields such as music, art, and communication to describe subtle or underlying qualities. Over time, 'undertone' has become a versatile term to express nuances and hidden meanings in different contexts.

See also: intone, monotone, overtone, overtones, ton, tonality, toned, toner, tones, toning, undertones.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,006, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.