undertone

/ˈʌndətəʊn/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈʌndɚtˌon] /ˈʌndərtəʊn/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈʌndɚtˌon] /ˈən-dər-ˌtōn How to pronounce undertone (audio)/ (ame, mw)

undertone — noun

  • undertonesingular
  • undertonesplural

1. a feeling, attitude, or quality that is not stated directly but can be sensed in

1.名詞B2
釋義

a feeling, attitude, or quality that is not stated directly but can be sensed in a situation, conversation, or piece of writing — for example, an undertone of sadness behind cheerful words, or an undertone of anger in a calm discussion.

例句

Zola detected an undertone of sadness in Tomás's voice during the phone call.

collocation: an undertone of [emotion]

The committee's report carried an undertone of disappointment about the failed project.

同義詞
  • overtone

    similar but 'overtone' suggests a quality that is more noticeable or widely recognised

  • undercurrent

    suggests a hidden force or tendency that flows beneath the surface, often negative

  • hint

    less intense than 'undertone'; means a small amount of something

  • suggestion

    less intense; a slight amount that one may or may not perceive

反義詞

文法句型

an undertone of + noun

用法筆記

Often followed by 'of' plus an emotion or quality (sadness, anger, humor, tension). The thing carrying the undertone is usually a statement, event, or situation — not a person.

常見錯誤

❌Her voice had an undertone of happiness.
✅Her voice had a note of happiness.
💡'Undertone' is best for hidden or mixed feelings, not for straightforward emotions.
❌He spoke with an undertone of political references.
✅He spoke with an undertone of political tension.
💡The noun after 'undertone of' should be an emotion or quality, not factual references.

2. a colour, smell, or taste that exists alongside a stronger main one, so the firs

2.名詞B2
釋義

a colour, smell, or taste that exists alongside a stronger main one, so the first thing you notice is the stronger quality — for example, a wall paint with a subtle undertone of green, or a perfume with an undertone of vanilla.

例句

The painter added a cool undertone of blue to the warm brown wall colour.

collocation: an undertone of [colour]

Sayaka chose a lipstick with a subtle undertone of pink to match her skin.

pattern: with a [adjective] undertone of [colour]

同義詞
  • hint

    lighter and more common in everyday speech; a small amount of a colour or flavour

  • touch

    very small amount, especially of a colour

  • tinge

    a very small amount of a colour that slightly changes the main colour

文法句型

an undertone of + color/flavor/scent

用法筆記

Common in colour descriptions (paint, fabric, makeup) and in tasting notes for wine, coffee, or food. Usually paired with an adjective like 'cool', 'warm', 'subtle', or 'pleasant'.

常見錯誤

❌The soup has an undertone of tomato.
✅The soup has a hint of tomato.
💡'Undertone' sounds unnatural for food ingredients; use 'hint' or 'touch' instead.
❌The room was painted in blue undertones.
✅The room was painted in blue tones.
💡'Undertone' refers to a secondary colour underneath the main one, not the main colour itself.

3. a very quiet way of speaking, especially one that is not meant to be heard by ev

3.名詞B2
釋義

a very quiet way of speaking, especially one that is not meant to be heard by everyone present — for example, two people exchanging remarks in a low undertone during a meeting.

例句

Eitan spoke in an undertone so that his mother would not hear him.

phrase: in an undertone (quietly, not to be overheard)

Dahlia and Dewi exchanged opinions in a low undertone during the film.

同義詞
  • whisper

    speaking without using the vocal cords; quieter than an undertone

  • murmur

    a soft, low sound that is not fully clear; can be speech or other soft sounds

  • low voice

    everyday expression for quiet speech; less literary than 'undertone'

反義詞
  • shout

    a loud, forceful use of the voice

文法句型

in an undertone

in a low undertone

speak in an undertone

用法筆記

Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'in an undertone' or 'in a low undertone'. Unlike 'whisper', an undertone still uses the voice — it is simply very quiet. Plural 'in undertones' is rare but possible.

常見錯誤

❌She sang in an undertone.
✅She sang quietly.
💡'Undertone' is used for speech, not singing.
❌He always talks in undertones.
✅He always talks in a quiet voice.
💡'In an undertone' refers to a specific instance of quiet speech, not a habitual speaking style.