undertone
ˈʌndərˌtoʊn
Definition Synonyms

Definition of undertone - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
speechquiet or hushed tone of voice
  • She spoke in an undertone during the meeting.
2.
nuancesubtle or subdued quality or feeling
  • The room had an undertone of tension..
hint nuance
3.
communicationimplicit message or meaning in communication
  • The speech had an undertone of urgency.
implication nuance subtext
4.
colorpale or subdued color
  • The walls were painted a soft blue undertone.
hue shade tint
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Expressions with undertone

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subtle or hidden racist message or implication
The speech had a racist undertone that many people noticed.
in a quiet voice so others cannot hear easily
She answered in an undertone so no one else would hear.

Origin of undertone

English, under (beneath) + tone (sound)

Terms with undertone included in their meaning

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communication
emotional undertone in speech
shade name
pale to medium gray, sometimes with slight pink or blue undertone
art color
deep red pigment with a blue undertone used in art

Examples of undertone in a sentence

  • An undertone of worry entered her voice.
  • Her voice had an undertone of sadness.
  • There was an undertone of excitement in the air.
  • Her words carried an undertone of sarcasm.
  • The novel's undertone of hope resonated with readers.
  • The dress had a green undertone that was quite elegant.

View all translations of undertone

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:voix basse, nuance, ...
  2. German:Unterton, subtiles Gefühl, ...
  3. Italian:sottovoce, sfumatura, ...
  4. Spanish:voz baja, matiz, ...
  5. Portuguese:voz baixa, subtom, ...
  6. Chinese:低声, 隐含的情绪, ...
  7. Japanese:小声, 微妙な感じ, ...
  8. Arabic:صَوْت خافِت, نَبْرَة خَفِيَّة, ...
  9. Hebrew:תַּת טוֹן, נִימָה, ...
  10. Russian:вполголоса, подтекст, ...
  11. Ukrainian:півголос, підтекст, ...
  12. Hindi:धीमा स्वर, अंतर्धारा, ...

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