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 ofThere 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
Cite this Entry
“Undertone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undertone. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.
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