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
See All Example Sentences for undertone
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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
See All Example Sentences for undertone
Cite this Entry
“Undertone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undertone. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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