1. underlying or secondary tones of color, sound, or meaning that are less obvious than the main ones

Examples

• The painting had warm subtones of gold beneath the cool blue surface.
• Her voice carried subtle subtones of disappointment despite her cheerful words.
• The wine critic noted the earthy subtones in the vintage red.
• The room’s lighting revealed green subtones in what appeared to be gray walls.
• His speech contained political subtones that weren’t immediately apparent.
• The fabric showed purple subtones when held up to natural light.