undertone

• Nom désignant un ton de voix bas ou feutré, une nuance émotionnelle cachée ou un sens sous-entendu dans un discours, ainsi qu'une couleur pâle et atténuée.

A noun referring to a quiet or subdued tone of voice, an underlying emotional quality or implicit meaning in an utterance, or a pale and subdued color.

1. Quiet voiceB2formal

   A low or subdued tone of voice, often used for private or secretive conversation.

   Voix basse

   • He spoke in an undertone so that no one else could hear.
   • They exchanged whispers and undertones throughout the meeting.
   • Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial undertone.

   Synonymesmurmursotto vocewhisper

   Antonymesshoutyell

2. Implicit meaningC1formal

   A subtle or underlying quality, feeling, or meaning that is not directly expressed.

   sens implicite

   • There was an undertone of sadness in his cheerful words.
   • The speech had a political undertone that was hard to miss.
   • Her compliment carried an undertone of sarcasm.

   Synonymesconnotationhintimplicationnuanceovertonesuggestionundercurrent

3. Subdued colorB2formalart

   A pale, muted, or less intense shade of a color.

   Teinte atténuée

   • The walls were painted in a soft undertone of blue.
   • She chose a dress with a subtle undertone of green.
   • The artist used an undertone of gray to soften the bright red.

   Synonymescastshadetingetinttone