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undertone Definition

under·tone (-tōn′)

noun

  1. a low tone of sound or voice
  2. a faint or subdued color, esp. one seen through other colors, as in some glazes
  3. any underlying quality, factor, element, etc. an undertone of horror

undertone Synonyms

undertone

n.

  1. A low tone

    buzz, murmur, hum; see whisper 1.

  2. An underlying quality

    undercurrent, suggestion, connotation; see meaning.

undertone Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • suggestion: What makes the whole thing even more despicable is the ever-so-slightly racist undertones of the suggestion.
  • sadness: But there was, throughout a large portion of those decades, also an undertone of sadness for the atrocities of the Vietnam War.

Converse of object

  • have: Even the slight comic relief of the three Imperial Ministers has a sinister undertone.
  • carry: Today, brand names like Nike or Gap carry sinister undertones.
  • see: I saw the Undertones in Cork in 1980 and I saw the Stranglers in Cork in 1977 and 1979.
  • contain: His brightly colored paintings of buildings and landscapes, slightly off kilter, often contain spiritual undertones.
  • provide: What provides the deep, sonorous undertone to the individual's expression, is the evocation of the eternal dance.
  • menace: Life with the Yorkshiremen always carried menacing undertones and Everton were on a short fuse, fully wound up and all ready to go.

Adjective modifier

  • sinister: Today, brand names like Nike or Gap carry sinister undertones.
  • racist: This can range from verbal banter, including insults, jokes and comments with sexual or racist undertones, to unwelcome physical abuse.
  • subtle: I would also like to comment briefly on what I perceive as a subtle negative undertone with respect to contribution of the private sector.
  • dark: I like making my images bright and exciting both visually and in their mood, but then also having a darker undertone to them.
  • sexual: Apart from the sexual undertones, I enjoyed the moral certitude.
  • serious: I really enjoyed how the film wasn't afraid to touch on Lucy's illness with serious undertones.

Noun used with modifier

  • chocolate: Spicy nut and oak vanilla as well as chocolate undertones are present with mineral tones.
  • fruit: Oatmeal Stout ( 4.5 % ) Malty beer with chocolate roast notes and berry fruit undertones.
  • pepper: Tasting Note: Crimson in color, with flavors of blackberry and black pepper undertones.
  • oak: Vintage: 2003 Price: £ 14.00 Shiraz ( Australia ) Salisbury Ripe, plummy fruit on the nose with cedary oak undertones.
  • rock: This is good because it combines Manfred's trade mark moog style with lots of jazz and rock undertones around a classical theme.