overtone

[US]/'əʊvətəʊn/
[UK]/'ovɚ'ton/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

n. a hint or additional sound produced in addition to the main sound

Phrases & Collocations

subtle overtone

musical overtone

emotional overtone

cultural overtone

political overtone

Example Sentences

an overtone of anger barely masked; praise with overtones of envy.

His words were polite, but there were overtones of distrust in his voice.

The cantilever taps across the surface with metronomic precision.But as it moves, it also behaves much like a tuning fork, producing overtones related to the fundamental vibration.

"Brambleberry Rose Lip Balm" is a nostalgic blend of wild berry flavors with overtones of honey and vanilla and moisturized with Shea Butter and Vitamin E.

The music had a melancholic overtone.

There was an overtone of sarcasm in his voice.

Her words had an underlying overtone of anger.

The painting had a mystical overtone to it.

The conversation had a political overtone.

The movie had a romantic overtone.

His actions had a subtle overtone of rebellion.

The speech had a patriotic overtone.

The book had a philosophical overtone.

The atmosphere had an eerie overtone.

Real-world Examples

And even Abraham has ominous overtones.

Source: The importance of English names.

That's when the political rivalry took on religious overtones.

Source: NPR News January 2016 Compilation

L.A. authorities also have concerns about the program's Orwellian overtones.

Source: Business Weekly

Finally, psychiatric overtones refers to symptoms like a depressed mood and confusion.

Source: Osmosis - Urinary

Swift criticism after President Donald Trump injected racial overtones into the U.S. House impeachment inquiry.

Source: AP Listening November 2019 Collection

A common mnemonic to remember these symptoms is " stones, thrones, bones, groans, and psychiatric overtones."

Source: Osmosis - Urinary

We've been talking about this overtone series with zarathustra.

Source: Listening to Music (Video Version)

This seems like a good time for a drink and a cold calculated speech with sinister overtones.

Source: Rick and Morty Season 3 (Bilingual)

The sounds have been described as a " wolf howl with overtones of whale song" .

Source: VOA Special English: World

Although you're absolutely right, there is that overtone.

Source: Freakonomics

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