undertone

noun

un·​der·​tone ˈən-dər-ˌtōn 

1

: a low or subdued utterance or accompanying sound

She commented in an undertone that the music was not very good.

2

: a quality (as of emotion) that is present but not clear or obvious

The play is a comedy with dark undertones.

—often used with of

There was an undertone of fear in the city.

3

: a subdued color

specifically : a color seen through and modifying another color

a shade of blue with gray undertones

4

: a secondary or underlying flavor or scent

coffee with undertones of chocolate

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

Because the brand studied undertones to create a collection that would be true to the tube when Black and Brown people swiped it on. —Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026

No matter how soft or hard, these bells bring a bittersweet undertone to Book of Love’s minimalist character, filling sparse mixes with soft reminders of the band’s innocent core. —Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 26 Apr. 2026

The Mexican chile sauce, mole, has a taste that's spicy and bittersweet, with earthy undertones. —Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026

Thyme naturally has a lemony undertone that compliments the fresh lemon in these shortbread cookies perfectly. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for undertone

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

Kids 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