overtone

/ˈəʊvətəʊn/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈovɚtˌon] /ˈəʊvərtəʊn/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈovɚtˌon] /ˈō-vər-ˌtōn How to pronounce overtone (audio)/ (ame, mw)

overtone — noun

  • overtonesingular
  • overtonesplural

1. an extra feeling or idea that words, events, or actions carry without saying it

1.名詞C1
釋義

an extra feeling or idea that words, events, or actions carry without saying it openly

例句

Nadia's joke carried an overtone of anger after the budget meeting.

carry an overtone of + feeling

Esme's polite reply had an overtone of relief when the exam ended.

have an overtone of + emotion

同義詞
  • undertone

    often suggests a quieter or less obvious feeling running underneath the main message

  • implication

    is broader and often focuses on what a remark suggests logically

  • connotation

    usually describes an extra meaning attached to a word or phrase

文法句型

an overtone of anger

carry an overtone of politics

give something an overtone of blame

用法筆記

This sense usually appears with of plus a feeling, attitude, or political meaning. It points to something the speaker or situation suggests indirectly, rather than the main message stated on the surface.

常見錯誤

❌The report had an overtone of numbers and dates.
✅The report had an overtone of criticism.
💡Overtone names an implied attitude or meaning, not the main topic itself.

2. a sound frequency above the main note that helps give the sound its character

2.名詞C1
釋義

a sound frequency above the main note that helps give the sound its character

例句

The violin's bright overtones made the small hall feel full.

overtones shape the sound quality

Ziad struck the bell softly, and its overtones lingered in the air.

overtones linger after the main note

同義詞
  • harmonic

    is the more technical term in music and acoustics for a related higher tone

  • partial

    is a broader acoustics term for one component inside a complex sound

文法句型

listen for the overtones

remove harsh overtones

bring out warmer overtones

用法筆記

This sense belongs to music and sound analysis. It often appears in the plural because one note can produce several higher frequencies above the main pitch at the same time.

常見錯誤

❌The drum's overtone was the lowest note we heard.
✅The drum's overtone was a higher note above the main pitch.
💡An overtone is higher than the fundamental note, not the base note itself.