undertone

Undertone is a noun describing an underlying quality, meaning, or feeling that is implied rather than stated openly. It denotes something subtle that lies beneath the surface of a sound, color, or message.

In music theory and acoustics, undertone can refer to a frequency lower than the fundamental, a subharmonic. This concept contrasts with the overtone series, in which higher multiple frequencies accompany the base pitch. Undertones are not a universal feature of all instruments and are mainly discussed in theoretical or experimental contexts.

In color and cosmetics, undertone refers to the underlying hue that influences how a color appears on skin or in design. Skin undertones are typically categorized as warm, cool, or neutral, and matching makeup, clothing, or upholstery to an appropriate undertone helps achieve harmony.

In language and literature, an undertone is a subtle or implicit mood, attitude, or implication beneath the explicit message, such as sarcasm, tension, or irony, which can affect interpretation.

The word comes from under + tone, reflecting the sense of a tonal quality operating beneath the obvious surface.