Meaning & use
undertone
Last updated
An underlying quality, feeling, or meaning that is not directly stated but can be sensed.
See it in a sentence
Beneath his polite words, there was an undertone of frustration.
The paint had a subtle pink undertone that only showed up in bright light.
A note on using this word
Used both figuratively, for a subtle emotional or thematic quality in speech or writing, and literally, for a faint shade of color beneath a main hue.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “undertone”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.