overtones

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "overtones" is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to a subtle or indirect suggestion, feeling or influence that is attached to something. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as when describing the atmosphere or tone of a conversation, piece of writing, or relationship. For example: "The conversation had a certain tension to it, with underlying overtones of suspicion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many of them have obvious racist or homophobic overtones.

The Guardian

"Hungarians will not live as foreigners dictate, will not give up their independence or their freedom, therefore they will not give up their constitution either," he thundered in a speech with strong nationalist overtones.

The Guardian

Putin last week compared Blatter to Julian Assange and Edward Snowden and painted the US investigation into Fifa as part of a dark plot with anti-Russia overtones.

The Guardian - Sport

A diversion has been created with a quickie Esther Williams number, an on water matter – with woodland overtones on land.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The cross has been adopted by many cultures from Armenia to Greece, Macedonia to the Celtic cross, and also forms the basis of swastica, adopted by many eastern cultures, is symbol of goodness in Hinduism, but of course has much more sinister overtones when it was taken up by the Nazis.

The Guardian - Music

Alice Spring News revelled in the relief and glory that was reflected on their town: "Chief Justice Brian Martin's findings on the 'racial overtones' of the killing of Kwementyaye stop well short of the 'race crime' treatment of the story by many media".

The Guardian

The character of Mordred from the traditional Arthurian cycle is updated to be head of a political movement, called The Thrashers, with obviously fascistic overtones (though they may also echo the Oprichniki of Ivan IV, known as Ivan the Terrible – a kind of medieval SS in some versions of events).

The Guardian

Despite Mr Putin's heavy security, however, it was primarily an artistic occasion, albeit with political overtones.

The Economist

To some, it carries nastily tribal, exclusive overtones.

The Economist

THE very word "perfume" has feminine overtones to many male ears.

The Economist

That's an argument with strong political overtones, and the composition of the members the Federal Reserve boards is surely an important determining factor in how they see their mission and where they line up on questions like these.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sensitive topics, be mindful of the "overtones" your language might carry. Clarity and directness can prevent unintended interpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "overtones" when referring to direct or explicit statements. "Overtones" imply subtlety and indirectness, not overt communication.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "overtones" is as a plural noun, often functioning as the object of a preposition or a complement. It refers to subtle, indirect qualities or suggestions, as seen in Ludwig's examples where it modifies political or racial contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overtones" functions as a plural noun used to describe subtle, indirect qualities or suggestions, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, indicating implied meanings rather than explicit statements. When writing with "overtones", remember it is about indirect nuances not outright claims. Consider using synonyms like "connotations" or "undertones" to fine-tune your message. The expert rating of 4.5 reflects the phrase's grammatical correctness and consistent usage in authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undertones

Suggests underlying or implicit qualities or meanings.

connotations

Focuses on the associated or implied meanings of a word or expression.

nuances

Emphasizes subtle differences or distinctions in meaning or expression.

implications

Highlights the potential consequences or effects of a statement or action.

shades of meaning

Stresses the subtle variations and depths within the meaning.

echoes

Suggests resonances or indirect allusions to something else.

hints

Indicates slight or indirect suggestions or indications.

suggestions

Focuses on indirect or subtle indications.

tinges

Highlights a slight addition of color or quality.

traces

Implies slight signs or indications of something.

FAQs

How to use "overtones" in a sentence?

You can use "overtones" to describe subtle qualities or indirect suggestions, as in "The conversation had political "undertones"".

What can I say instead of "overtones"?

Alternatives include "connotations", "implications", or "undertones", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Which is correct, "overtones of" or "overtones in"?

"Overtones of" is generally preferred when referring to the qualities or suggestions that something carries, as in "The policy had "overtones of" discrimination". While "overtones in" is uncommon, it can be used to specify where the overtones are present, such as "overtones in his voice".

What's the difference between "overtones" and "nuances"?

"Overtones" refers to subtle, often indirect, qualities or suggestions. "Nuances", on the other hand, refers to subtle differences or distinctions in meaning or expression.