an attitude or an emotion that is suggested and is not expressed in a direct way compare undertone弦外之音;言外之意;暗示 Extra ExamplesThe word ‘cheap’ has negative overtones. “ 低价” 一词带有贬义。 a play with strong religious overtones 有强烈宗教色彩的戏剧 His message had clearly coded racial overtones. 他的信息带有明显的种族色彩。 The term carries unfortunate overtones of separateness and aloneness. 这个词带有分离和孤独的不幸意味。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- strong
- serious
- negative
- …
- carry
- have
- take on
- …
Word Originmid 19th cent.: from over- + tone, suggested by German Oberton.