undertonenoun
uk/ˈʌn.də.təʊn/us/ˈʌn.dɚ.toʊn/undertone noun (CHARACTERISTIC)
[ C ] a particular but not obvious characteristic that a piece of writing or speech, an event, or a situation has:
I thought her speech had slightly sinister undertones.
It was a comedy act with an undertone of cruelty.
[ C ] a colour, smell, flavour, etc. that is part of something but not the most obvious part:
The elephant's pale grey skin carries undertones of violet.
The gin has a unique crisp flavour that is very well-balanced with light, sweet undertones.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Conditions and characteristics
- -ance
- -ancy
- ability
- ambience
- attribute
- character
- complexion
- condition
- detail
- feature
- hallmark
- karma
- lineament
- local colour
- middle name
- mien
- nature
- resonate
- smack
- tenor
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undertone noun (QUIET VOICE)
in an undertone also in undertones
in a very quiet voice:
Freddie muttered something to me in an undertone.
They spoke in undertones in order not to startle the animal.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Ways of talking
- -mouthed
- babel
- blab
- blather
- croon
- declamatory
- drone
- drone on
- hold the floor idiom
- lyrical
- meanderings
- rabbit
- rabbit on
- sink to a whisper idiom
- tattle
- telegrammatic
- throw
- waffle
- whisper
- yap
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