# undertone

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈʌndə(ɹ)təʊn/ · frequency rank #46,240

## Definitions
1. An auditory tone of low pitch or volume.
2. An implicit message perceived subtly alongside, but not detracting noticeably from, the explicit message conveyed in or by a book, film, speech or similar (contrast with overtone); an undercurrent.
3. A pale colour, or one seen underneath another colour.
4. A low state of the physical faculties.

## Etymology
From under- + tone.

## Easily confused with
- **undertook** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/undertone-vs-undertook)
- **undertake** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/undertake-vs-undertone)
- **undermine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/undermine-vs-undertone)
- **underline** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/underline-vs-undertone)

## Common misspellings (13)
`nudertone`, `udnertone`, `unddertone`, `underotne`, `underrtone`, `undertnoe`, `undertoen`, `undertonne`, `underttone`, `undetrone`, `undretone`, `unedrtone`, `unndertone`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/undertone