overtone

[ oh-ver-tohn ]

noun

1. Music. an acoustical frequency that is higher in frequency than the fundamental.
2. an additional, usually subsidiary and implicit meaning or quality:

   an aesthetic theory with definite political overtones.

   Synonyms: intimation, hint, suggestion, insinuation

overtone

/ ˈəʊvəˌtəʊn /

noun

1. often plural additional meaning or nuance

   overtones of despair

2. music acoustics any of the tones, with the exception of the fundamental, that constitute a musical sound and contribute to its quality, each having a frequency that is a multiple of the fundamental frequency See also harmonic partial

overtone

/ ō′vər-tōn′ /

1. See under harmonic

Word History and Origins

Origin of overtone¹

1865–70; translation of German Oberton. See over-, tone

Example Sentences

JJ: The two singles you’ve released so far that are connected with the album are “Herrera” which is your version of a bachata that has this electronic overtone to it.

From Los Angeles Times

Swarming “microclusters” created by this tuning morph in and out of radiant, complex overtone harmonies.

From New York Times

JJ: The two singles you’ve released so far that are connected with the album are “Herrera” which is your version of a bachata that has this electronic overtone to it.

From Los Angeles Times

Her company, Redemption Services — the religious overtone seems intentional, though it may be only an overtone — buys consumer debt.

From Los Angeles Times

“Otherwise, it takes on this weird partisan overtone.”

From Washington Times

Related Words

• connotation
• flavor
• meaning
• nuance
• tone
• undercurrent
• undertone