Overtone

Quick meaning: Overtone is a noun meaning (physics, music) A tone whose frequency is an integer multiple of another; a member of the harmonic series.

Meaning

(physics, music) A tone whose frequency is an integer multiple of another; a member of the harmonic series.

More Meanings

1. An implicit message (in a film, book, verbal discussion, or similar) perceived subtly alongside, but not overwhelming, the explicit message.
2. (transitive) To give an overtone to.
3. (figuratively, often in the plural) An implicit message (in a film, book, verbal discussion, or similar) perceived as overwhelming the explicit message.

Example Sentences

The flesh tints appear to have been darkened by being overworked; the draperies are overtoned in the same way […]

Can you imagine, finally, the opening of Janácek's Sinfonietta, with its richly overtoned, overlapping fanfares, performed not by brass but by a consort of oboes—even very loud ones?

The background is now rendered by using meadow green with a stick pastel around the lower area under the lynx in an irregular fashion, and overtoning the areas closer to the animal with an irregular application of leaf green color.

A window opened above the shop, and a frowsty-looking man, yellow-pale, was quickly and nervously hauling in the national flag. There were shouts of derision and mockery—a great overtone of acrid derision—the flag and its owner ignominiously disappeared.

Word Forms

• overtones
• overtoning
• overtoned

Synonyms for overtone

Depending on context, synonyms include undertone, undercurrent.

Antonyms for overtone

Common opposites include undertone.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include harmonic, color, coloring, hue, flavor, partial.

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