The Wordsmith Dictionary

un der cap i tal ize |ˌəndərˈkapətlˌīz ˌəndərˈkæpətlaɪz | ▶verb [ with obj. ] provide (a company ) with insufficient capital to achieve desired results. DERIVATIVES un der cap i tal i za tion |-ˌkapətl -əˈzāSHən |noun

undercard

un der card |ˈəndərˌkärd ˈəndərkɑrd | ▶noun the list of less important bouts on the same bill as a main boxing match.

undercarriage

un der car riage |ˈəndərˌkarij ˈəndərˌkɛrɪʤ | ▶noun a wheeled structure beneath an aircraft, typically retracted when not in use, that receives the impact on landing and supports the aircraft on the ground. • the supporting frame under the body of a vehicle.

undercart

under |cart |ˈʌndəkɑːt | ▶noun Brit. dated the undercarriage of an aircraft.

undercast

un der cast |ˌəndərˈkast ˌəndərˈkæst | ▶verb ( past and past participle undercast ) [ with obj. ] (usu. be undercast ) allocate the parts in (a play or movie ) to insufficiently skilled actors.

undercharge

un der charge ▶verb |ˌəndərˈCHärj ˌəndərˈtʃɑrʤ | [ with obj. ] 1 charge (someone ) a price or amount that is too low. 2 give less than the proper charge to (an electric battery ). ▶noun |ˈəndərˌCHärj ʌndərˈtʃɑːrʤ |a charge that is insufficient.

underclass

un der class |ˈəndərˌklas ˈəndərˌklæs | ▶noun the lowest social stratum in a country or community, consisting of the poor and unemployed.

underclassman

un der class man |ˌəndərˈklasmən ʌndərˈklæsmən | ▶noun ( pl. underclassmen ) a student in high school or college who is not a senior: one of the talented underclassmen leaving campus life early for the NFL.

undercliff

under |cliff |ˈʌndəklɪf | ▶noun a terrace or lower cliff formed by a landslip.

undercling

un der cling |ˈəndərˌkliNG ˈəndərˌklɪŋ |Climbing ▶noun a handhold that faces down the rock face. ▶verb [ no obj. ] climb using such handholds.

underclothes

un der clothes |ˈəndərˌklō (T͟H )z ˈəndərˌkloʊ (ð )z | ▶plural noun clothes worn under others, typically next to the skin.

underclothing

un der cloth ing |ˈəndərˌklōT͟HiNG ˈʌndərkloʊðɪŋ | ▶noun underclothes.

undercoat

un der coat |ˈəndərˌkōt ˈəndərˌkoʊt | ▶noun 1 a layer of paint applied after the primer and before the topcoat. 2 an animal's underfur or down. ▶verb [ with obj. ] apply a coat of undercoat to (something ).

underconsumption

un der con sump tion |ˌəndərkənˈsəm (p )SHən ˌəndərkənˈsəm (p )ʃən | ▶noun Economics purchase of goods and services at a level lower than that of their supply.

undercook

un der cook |ˌəndərˈko͝ok, ˈəndərˌko͝ok ˈˌəndərˈˌkʊk | ▶verb [ with obj. ] (usu. as adj. undercooked ) cook (something ) insufficiently: undercooked meats.

undercool

un der cool |ˌəndərˈko͞ol ˌəndərˈkul | ▶verb another term for supercool.

undercount

un der count ▶verb |ˌəndərˈkount ˌəndərˈkaʊnt | [ with obj. ] enumerate (something, esp. a sector of a population in a census ) at a lower figure than the actual figure. ▶noun |ˈəndərˌkount ˈʌndəkʌʊnt |a count or figure that is inaccurately low. • the amount by which such a count or figure falls short of the actual figure.

undercover

un der cov er |ˌəndərˈkəvər ˈˌəndərˈkəvər | ▶adjective (of a person or their activities ) involved in or involving secret work within a community or organization, esp. for the purposes of police investigation or espionage: an undercover police operation. ▶adverb as an undercover agent: a special unit of the police that operates undercover.

undercrackers

under |crack ¦ers ▶plural noun Brit. informal men's underpants.

undercroft

un der croft |ˈəndərˌkrôft, -ˌkräft ˈəndərkrɔft | ▶noun the crypt of a church. ORIGIN late Middle English: from under- + the rare term croft ‘crypt, ’ from Middle Dutch crofte ‘cave, ’ from Latin crypta.

undercurrent

un der cur rent |ˈəndərˌkərənt ˈəndərˌkərənt | ▶noun 1 a current of water below the surface, moving in a different direction from any surface current. 2 an underlying feeling or influence, esp. one that is contrary to the prevailing atmosphere and is not expressed openly: an undercurrent of anger and discontent.

undercut

un der cut ▶verb |ˌəndərˈkət ˌəndərˈkət | ( undercuts, undercutting; past and past participle undercut ) [ with obj. ] 1 offer goods or services at a lower price than (a competitor ): these industries have been undercut by more efficient foreign producers. 2 cut or wear away the part below or under (something, esp. a cliff ). • cut away material to leave (a carved design ) in relief. 3 weaken; undermine: the chairman denied his authority was being undercut. 4 (in sports such as tennis or golf ) strike (a ball ) with a chopping motion so as to give it backspin. ▶noun |ˈəndərˌkət ˈəndərˌkət | 1 a space formed by the removal or absence of material from the lower part of something, such as a cliff, a coal seam, or part of a carving in relief. • a notch cut in a tree trunk to guide its fall when felled. 2 Brit. the underside of a sirloin of beef.

underdamp

un der damp |ˌəndərˈdamp ˌəndərˈdæmp | ▶verb [ with obj. ] Physics damp (a system ) incompletely, so as to allow a few oscillations after a single disturbance.

underdetermine

un der de ter mine |ˌəndərdiˈtərmən ˌəndərdɪˈtərmən | ▶verb [ with obj. ] (usu. be underdetermined ) account for (a theory or phenomenon ) with less than the amount of evidence needed for proof or certainty. DERIVATIVES un der de ter mi na tion |-ˌtərməˈnāSHən |noun

underdeveloped

un der de vel oped |ˌəndərdiˈveləpt ˌəndərdəˈvɛləpt | ▶adjective not fully developed: underdeveloped kidneys | the community services are underfunded and underdeveloped. • (of a country or region ) not advanced economically. • (of photographic film ) not developed sufficiently to give a normal image. DERIVATIVES un der de vel op ment |-əpmənt |noun

underdog

un der dog |ˈəndərˌdôg, -ˌdäg ˈəndərˌdɔɡ | ▶noun a competitor thought to have little chance of winning a fight or contest. • a person who has little status in society. ORIGIN late 19th cent.: with reference to the beaten dog in a dogfight.

underdone

un der done |ˌəndərˈdən ˈˌəndərˈdən | ▶adjective (of food ) insufficiently cooked.

underdrawing

un der draw ing |ˈəndərˌdrôiNG ˈəndərdrɔɪŋ | ▶noun sketched lines made by a painter as a preliminary guide, and subsequently covered with layers of paint.

underdress

un der dress |ˌəndərˈdres ˌəndərˈdrɛs | ▶verb [ no obj. ] (also be underdressed ) dress too plainly or too informally: without a pinstripe you'd be underdressed.

undereducated

un der ed u cat ed |ˌəndərˈejəˌkātid ˌəndərˈɛʤəkeɪdɪd | ▶adjective inadequately educated.

underemphasize

un der em pha size |ˌəndərˈemfəˌsīz ˌəndərˈɛmfəsaɪz | ▶verb [ with obj. ] (usu. be underemphasized ) place insufficient emphasis on: history is underemphasized in the curriculum. DERIVATIVES un der em pha sis |-sis |noun

underemployed

un der em ployed |ˌəndərimˈploid ˌəndərɪmˈplɔɪd | ▶adjective (of a person ) not having enough paid work or not doing work that makes full use of their skills and abilities. DERIVATIVES un der em ploy ment |-ˈploimənt |noun

under-equipped

under-equipped ▶adjective not having all the necessary equipment or resources: many hospitals and clinics were understaffed and under-equipped.

underestimate

un der es ti mate ▶verb |ˌəndərˈestəˌmāt ˌəndərˈɛstəˌmeɪt | [ with obj. ] estimate (something ) to be smaller or less important than it actually is: the administration has grossly underestimated the extent of the problem. • regard (someone ) as less capable than they really are: he had underestimated the new president. ▶noun |-mit ˌəndərˈɛstəmət | [ usu. in sing. ] an estimate that is too low. DERIVATIVES un der es ti ma tion |-ˌestəˈmāSHən |noun

underexpose

un der ex pose |ˌəndərikˈspōz ˌəndərəkˈspoʊz | ▶verb [ with obj. ] Photography expose (film or an image ) for too short a time. DERIVATIVES un der ex po sure |-ˈspōZHər |noun

underfed

un der fed |ˌəndərˈfed ˌəndərˈfɛd | ▶adjective insufficiently fed or nourished.

underfelt

under |felt |ˈʌndəfɛlt | ▶noun [ mass noun ] Brit. felt laid under a carpet to add thickness and reduce wear.

underfinanced

un der fi nanced |ˌəndərfəˈnanst, ˌəndərˈfīnanst ˌəndərfəˈnænst ˌəndərˈfʌɪnænst | ▶adjective not having or receiving sufficient funding: the chronically underfinanced state budget.

under-fives

under-fives |ʌndəˈfʌɪvz | ▶plural noun chiefly Brit. children who are less than five years old, especially those who are not in full-time education.

underfloor

un der floor |ˌəndərˈflôr ˌəndərˈflɔ (ə )r | ▶adjective situated or operating beneath the floor.

underflow

un der flow |ˈəndərˌflō ˈəndərfloʊ | ▶noun 1 an undercurrent. • a horizontal flow of water through the ground, esp. one underneath a riverbed. 2 Computing the generation of a number that is too small to be represented in the device meant to store it.

underfoot

un der foot |ˌəndərˈfo͝ot ˈˌəndərˈfʊt | ▶adverb under one's feet; on the ground: it was very muddy underfoot | figurative : genuine rights were being trodden underfoot. • constantly present and in one's way: the last thing my mother wanted was a child underfoot.

underframe

under |frame |ˈʌndəfreɪm | ▶noun the supporting frame or substructure of something, in particular a vehicle or piece of furniture.

underfund

un der fund |ˌəndərˈfənd ˌəndərˈfənd | ▶verb [ with obj. ] (usu. be underfunded ) provide with insufficient funding. DERIVATIVES un der fund ing noun

underfur

un der fur |ˈəndərˌfər ˈəndərˌfər | ▶noun an inner layer of short, fine fur or down underlying an animal's outer fur, providing warmth and waterproofing.

undergarment

un der gar ment |ˈəndərˌgärmənt ˈəndərˌɡɑrmənt | ▶noun an article of underclothing.

undergird

un der gird |ˌəndərˈgərd ˌəndərˈɡərd | ▶verb [ with obj. ] secure or fasten from the underside, esp. by a rope or chain passed underneath. • formal provide support or a firm basis for.

underglaze

un der glaze |ˈəndərˌglāz ˈəndərɡleɪz | ▶noun a color or design applied to pottery before it is glazed.

undergo

un der go |ˌəndərˈgō ˌəndərˈɡoʊ | ▶verb ( undergoes, undergoing; past underwent ; past participle undergone ) [ with obj. ] experience or be subjected to (something, typically something unpleasant, painful, or arduous ): the baby underwent a life-saving brain operation. ORIGIN Old English undergān ‘undermine ’ (see under-, go 1 ).

undergrad

un der grad |ˈəndərˌgrad ˈəndərɡræd | ▶noun informal an undergraduate.

undergraduate

un der grad u ate |ˌəndərˈgrajəwit ʌndərˈɡræuət | ▶noun a student at a college or university who has not yet earned a bachelor's or equivalent degree.

underground

un der ground ▶adverb |ˌəndərˈground ˈˌəndərˈˌɡraʊnd |beneath the surface of the ground: miners working underground. • in or into secrecy or hiding, esp. as a result of carrying out subversive political activities: many were forced to go underground by the government. ▶adjective |ˈəndərˌground ˈəndə (r )ˌɡraʊnd |situated beneath the surface of the ground: underground parking garages. • of or relating to the secret activities of people working to subvert an established order: Czech underground literature. • of or denoting a group or movement seeking to explore alternative forms of lifestyle or artistic expression; radical and experimental: the New York underground art scene. ▶noun |ˈəndərˌground ˈəndərˌɡraʊnd | 1 a group or movement organized secretly to work against an existing regime: I got involved with the French underground. • a group or movement seeking to explore alternative forms of lifestyle or artistic expression: the late-sixties underground. 2 (the Underground ) Brit. a subway, esp. the one in London: travel chaos on the Underground.

underground economy

un der ground e con o my |ˈˌəndərˈˌɡraʊnd iˈkɑnəmi | ▶noun the part of a country's economic activity that is unrecorded and untaxed by its government.

Underground Railroad

Un der ground Rail road a secret network for helping slaves escape from the South to the North and to Canada in the years before the Civil War.

undergrowth

un der growth |ˈəndərˌgrōTH ˈəndərˌɡroʊθ | ▶noun a dense growth of shrubs and other plants, esp. under trees in woodland.

underhand

un der hand |ˈəndərˌhand ˈəndərˌhænd | ▶adjective 1 (of a throw or stroke in sports ) made with the arm or hand below shoulder level: he has a surprisingly good motion, more sidearm than underhand | [ as adv. ] : I served underhand. • with the palm of the hand upward or outward: an underhand grip. 2 another term for underhanded: Laura would never agree to anything that smacked of underhand snooping. ORIGIN Old English in the sense ‘in or into subjection, under control ’ (see under-, hand ).

underhanded

un der hand ed |ˌəndərˈhandəd ˈˌəndərˈhændəd | ▶adjective acting or done in a secret or dishonest way: an underhanded method of snatching clients from rivals. DERIVATIVES un der hand ed ly adverb

underhung

un der hung |ˌəndərˈhəNG ˌəndərˈhəŋ | ▶adjective another term for undershot ( sense 2 of the adjective ).

underinsured

un der in sured |ˌəndərinˈSHo͝ord ˌəndərɪnˈʃʊ (ə )rd | ▶adjective (of a person ) having inadequate insurance coverage. DERIVATIVES un der in sur ance |ˈəndərinˌSHo͝orəns |noun

underinvest

un der in vest |ˌəndərinˈvest ˌəndərɪnˈvɛst | ▶verb [ no obj. ] fail to invest sufficient money or resources in a project or enterprise: we persistently underinvest in historic buildings. DERIVATIVES un der in vest ment noun

underlay

un der lay 1 ▶verb |ˌəndərˈlā ˌəndərˈleɪ | ( past and past participle underlaid ) [ with obj. ] place something under (something else ), esp. to support or raise it: the green fields are underlaid with limestone | figurative : a whine underlaid by an occasional choking sob. ▶noun |ˈəndərˌlā ˈəndərˌleɪ |something placed under or behind something else, esp. material laid under a carpet for protection or support. • Music the manner in which the words are fitted to the notes in a piece of vocal music. ORIGIN Old English underlecgan (see under-, lay 1 ).

underlay

un der lay 2 |ˌəndərˈleɪ | past tense of underlie.

underlayment

un der lay ment |ˌəndərˈlāmənt ˈəndərleɪmənt | ▶noun a layer between a subfloor and a finished floor that facilitates leveling and adhesion. the underlayment may be of hardboard or particle board of various thicknesses.

underlet

un der let |ˌəndərˈlet ˌəndərˈlɛt | ▶verb [ with obj. ] ( underlets, underletting; past and past participle underlet ) another term for sublet. • lease (land or property ) at less than the true value.

underlever

under |lever |ˈʌndəliːvə | ▶noun a lever behind the trigger guard on a rifle.

underlie

un der lie |ˌəndərˈlī ˌəndərˈlaɪ | ▶verb ( underlies, underlying; past underlay; past participle underlain ) [ with obj. ] (esp. of a layer of rock or soil ) lie or be situated under (something ). • be the cause or basis of (something ): the fundamental issue that underlies the conflict | (as adj. underlying ) : the underlying causes of poverty and drug addiction. ORIGIN Old English underlicgan ‘be subject or subordinate to ’ (see under-, lie 1 ).

underlife

un der life |ˈəndərˌlīf ˈəndərlaɪf | ▶noun a way of living that the general public does not normally encounter.

underline

un der line |ˌəndərˈlīn ʌndərˈlaɪn | ▶verb [ with obj. ] draw a line under (a word or phrase ) to give emphasis or indicate special type. • emphasize (something ): the improvement in retail sales was underlined by these figures. ▶noun |ʌndərˈlaɪn | 1 a line drawn under a word or phrase, esp. for emphasis. 2 the line of the lower part of an animal's body.

underlinen

un der lin en |ˈəndərˌlinin ˈəndərlɪnɪn | ▶noun archaic underclothes, esp. those made of linen.

underling

un der ling |ˈəndərliNG ˈəndərlɪŋ | ▶noun (usu. underlings ) chiefly derogatory a person lower in status or rank.

underlip

un der lip |ˈəndərˌlip ˈəndərlɪp | ▶noun the lower lip of a person or animal.

underlit

under |lit ▶adjective having insufficient light or lighting; dim.

underlying

un der ly ing |ˌəndərˈlī -iNG ˌəndərˈlaɪɪŋ | present participle of underlie.

underman

un der man |ˌəndərˈman ˈəndərmæn | ▶verb ( undermans, undermanning, undermanned ) [ with obj. ] (usu. be undermanned ) fail to provide with enough workers or crew: the public prosecutor's offices are hopelessly undermanned.

undermanager

under |man ¦ager |ˈʌndəmanɪdʒə | ▶noun a manager who is subordinate to another manager.

undermentioned

un der men tioned |ˌəndərˈmenCHənd ˌəndərˈmɛn (t )ʃənd | ▶adjective Brit. mentioned at a later place in a book or document.

undermine

un der mine |ˌəndərˈmīn, ˈəndərˌmīn ˌəndərˈmaɪn | ▶verb [ with obj. ] 1 erode the base or foundation of (a rock formation ). • dig or excavate beneath (a building or fortification ) so as to make it collapse. 2 damage or weaken (someone or something ), esp. gradually or insidiously: this could undermine years of hard work. DERIVATIVES un der min er noun ORIGIN Middle English: from under- + the verb mine 2, probably suggested by Middle Dutch ondermineren.

underneath

un der neath |ˌəndərˈnēTH ˌəndərˈniθ | ▶preposition & adverb 1 situated directly below (something else ): [ as prep. ] : our bedroom is right underneath theirs | [ as adv. ] : his eyes were red-rimmed with black bags underneath | [ as adj. ] : on longer hair, the underneath layers can be permed to give extra body. 2 so as to be concealed by (something else ): [ as prep. ] : money changed hands underneath the table | figurative : underneath his aloof air, Nicky was a warm and open young man | [ as adv. ] : paint was peeling off in flakes to reveal grayish plaster underneath. • partly or wholly concealed by (a garment ): [ as prep. ] : she could easily see the broadness of his shoulders underneath a tailored white shirt | [ as adv. ] : I wear button-downs, and my T-shirts show underneath. ▶noun [ in sing. ] the part or side of something facing toward the ground; the underside. ORIGIN Old English underneothan; compare with beneath .

undernourished

un der nour ished |ˌəndərˈnəriSHt, -ˈnə -risht ˌəndərˈnərɪʃt | ▶adjective having insufficient food or other substances for good health and condition: undernourished children. DERIVATIVES un der nour ish ment noun

underoccupancy

under |occu ¦pancy ▶noun [ mass noun ] Brit. (with reference to holiday or hospital accommodation ) the state of not being occupied to the expected or advertised capacity.

underpaid

un der paid |ˌəndərˈpād ˌəndərˈpeɪd | past and past participle of underpay.

underpainting

un der paint ing |ˈəndərˌpāntiNG ˈəndərpeɪntɪŋ | ▶noun paint subsequently overlaid with another layer or with a finishing coat.

underpants

un der pants |ˈəndərˌpan (t )s ˈəndərˌpænts | ▶plural noun an undergarment covering the lower part of the torso and having two holes for the legs.

underpart

un der part |ˈəndərˌpärt ˈəndərpɑrt | ▶noun a lower part or portion of something. • (underparts ) the underside of an animal's body, esp. when of a specified color or pattern.

underpass

un der pass |ˈəndərˌpas ˈəndərˌpæs | ▶noun a road or pedestrian tunnel passing under another road or a railroad.

underpay

un der pay |ˌəndərˈpā ˌəndərˈpeɪ | ▶verb ( past and past participle underpaid ) [ with obj. ] pay too little to (someone ). • pay less than is due for (something ): (as adj. underpaid ) : late or underpaid tax. DERIVATIVES un der pay ment |ˌəndərˈpāmənt, ˈəndərˌpā - |noun

underperform

un der per form |ˌəndərpərˈfôrm ˌəndərpərˈfɔ (ə )rm | ▶verb [ no obj. ] perform less well than expected. • [ with obj. ] increase in value less than: the shares have underperformed the market. DERIVATIVES un der per for mance |-ˈfôrməns |noun

underpin

un der pin |ˌəndərˈpin ˌəndərˈpɪn | ▶verb ( underpins, underpinning, underpinned ) [ with obj. ] support (a building or other structure ) from below by laying a solid foundation below ground level or by substituting stronger for weaker materials. • support, justify, or form the basis for: the theme of honor underpinning the two books.

underpinning

un der pin ning |ˈəndərˌpiniNG ˈəndərpɪnɪŋ | ▶noun a solid foundation laid below ground level to support or strengthen a building. • a set of ideas, motives, or devices that justify or form the basis for something: the theoretical underpinning for free-market economics.

underplant

un der plant |ˌəndərˈplant ˌəndərˈplænt | ▶verb [ with obj. ] plant or cultivate the ground around (a tall plant ) with smaller plants: the roses are underplanted with pink and white bulbs.

underplay

un der play |ˌəndərˈplā, ˈəndərˌplā ˈˌəndərˈpleɪ | ▶verb [ with obj. ] perform (something ) in a restrained way: the violins underplayed the romantic element in the music. • represent (something ) as being less important than it actually is: I do not wish to underplay the tragedies that have occurred.

underplot

un der plot |ˈəndərˌplät ˈəndərplɑt | ▶noun a subordinate plot in a play, novel, or similar work.

underpopulated

un der pop u lat ed |ˌəndərˈpäpyəˌlātid ˌəndərˈpɑpjəleɪdɪd | ▶adjective having an insufficient or very small population. DERIVATIVES un der pop u la tion |-ˌpäpyəˈlāSHən |noun

underpowered

un der pow ered |ˌəndərˈpou (-ə )rd ˌəndərˈpaʊərd | ▶adjective lacking sufficient mechanical, electrical, or other power.

underprepared

un der pre pared |ˌəndərpriˈpe (ə )rd ʌndərprɪˈperd | ▶adjective not having prepared sufficiently to carry out a task.

underprice

un der price |ˌəndərˈprīs ˌəndərˈpraɪs | ▶verb [ with obj. ] sell or offer (something ) at too low a price: we try not to underprice our books, while making sure they are still a good buy. • sell or offer something at a lower price than (the competition ): Wal-Mart has underpriced its traditional competitors.

underprivileged

un der priv i leged |ˌəndərˈpriv (ə )lijd ˈˌəndərˈprɪv (ə )lɪʤd | ▶adjective (of a person ) not enjoying the same standard of living or rights as the majority of people in a society.

underproduce

un der pro duce |ˌəndərprəˈd (y )o͞os ˌəndərprəˈdjus | ▶verb [ with obj. ] 1 produce less of (a commodity ) than is wanted or needed. 2 (often as adj. underproduced ) record or produce (a song or movie ) in such a basic way that it appears rough or unfinished: many of the album's best tracks are relatively underproduced. DERIVATIVES un der pro duc tion |-prəˈdəkSHən |noun

underproof

un der proof |ˌəndərˈpro͞of ˌəndərˈpruf | ▶adjective containing less alcohol than proof spirit does.

underprop

un der prop |ˌəndərˈpräp ˌəndərˈprɑp | ▶verb ( underprops, underpropping, underpropped ) [ with obj. ] archaic support, esp. with a prop.

underqualified

under |quali ¦fied ▶adjective insufficiently qualified for a particular job.

underquote

under |quote |ʌndəˈkwəʊt | ▶verb [ with obj. ] give too low an estimated cost for (a commodity or service ).

underrate

un der rate |ˌəndə (r )ˈrāt ˌəndə (r )ˈreɪt | ▶verb [ with obj. ] (often as adj. underrated ) underestimate the extent, value, or importance of (someone or something ): a very underrated film.

under-read

under-read |ʌndəˈriːd | ▶verb ( past and past participle under-read ) [ no obj. ] (of a gauge or dial ) show a reading lower than the true one.

under-record

under-record |ˌʌndərɪˈkɔːd | ▶verb [ with obj. ] record (a number or amount ) as being lower than it really is. • record (data or information ) insufficiently or inadequately: such conditions had been markedly under-recorded in medical inspection.

underrehearsed

un der re hearsed |ˌəndə (r )riˈhərst ˌəndərrɪˈhərst | ▶adjective (of a performance or performer ) having had insufficient rehearsals.

underreport

un der re port |ˌəndə (r )riˈpôrt ˌəndərrəˈpɔrt | ▶verb [ with obj. ] fail to report (something ) fully: athletes are inclined to underreport their use of drugs | (as adj. underreported ) : underreported domestic violence.

underrepresent

un der rep re sent |ˌəndə (r )ˌrepriˈzent ˌəndərˌrɛprəˈzɛnt | ▶verb [ with obj. ] provide with insufficient or inadequate representation: women are underrepresented at high levels. DERIVATIVES un der rep re sen ta tion |-zenˈtāSHən, -zən - |noun

under-resourced

un der-re sourced |ˌəndə (r )ˈrēˌsôrst, -riˈsôrst ˌəndər ˈrisɔrst | ▶adjective chiefly Brit. provided with insufficient resources: an overstretched and under-resourced service. DERIVATIVES un der-re sourc ing |-ˈrēˌsôrsiNG, -riˈsôrs - |noun

undersaturated

un der sat u rat ed |ˌəndərˈsaCHəˌrātid ˌəndərˈsætʃəˌreɪtɪd | ▶adjective technical falling short of being saturated with a particular constituent. DERIVATIVES un der sat u ra tion |-ˌsaCHəˈrāSHən |noun

underscore

un der score ▶noun |ˈəndərˌskôr ʌndərˈskɔːr |a line drawn under a word or phrase for emphasis. • (on a computer or typewriter keyboard ) a short horizontal line (_ ) on the baseline. ▶verb |ˈəndərˌskôr, ˌəndərˈskôr ˌəndərˈskɔ (ə )r | [ with obj. ] underline (something ). • emphasize: the company underscored the progress made with fuel cells.

undersea

un der sea |ˌəndərˈsē ˌəndərˈsi | ▶adjective below the sea or the surface of the sea: undersea cables.

underseal

underseal |ˈʌndəsiːl |chiefly Brit. ▶verb [ with obj. ] coat (the underpart of a motor vehicle ) with waterproof material as protection against rust. ▶noun [ mass noun ] waterproof coating used as protection against rust.

undersecretary

un der sec re tar y |ˌəndərˈsekriˌterē ˌəndərˈsɛkrəˌtɛri | ▶noun ( pl. undersecretaries ) a subordinate official, in particular (in the US ) the principal assistant to a member of the cabinet, or (in the UK ) a junior minister or senior civil servant.

undersell

un der sell |ˌəndərˈsel ˌəndərˈsɛl | ▶verb ( past and past participle undersold ) [ with obj. ] sell something at a lower price than (a competitor ): we can equal or undersell mail order. • promote or rate (something ) insufficiently; undervalue: don't undersell yourself.

underserved

under |served ▶adjective inadequately provided with a service or facility: a medically underserved community.

underset

un der set ▶verb |ˌəndərˈset ˌəndərˈsɛt | ( undersets, undersetting; past and past participle underset ) [ with obj. ] rare place (something ) under something else, esp. for support. ▶noun |ˈəndərˌset ˈʌndəsɛt | another term for undercurrent.

undersexed

un der sexed |ˌəndərˈsekst ˌəndərˈsɛkst | ▶adjective having unusually weak sexual desires.

undersheriff

un der sher iff |ˈəndərˌsherif ˌəndərˈʃɛrɪf | ▶noun a deputy sheriff.

undershirt

un der shirt |ˈəndərˌSHərt ˈəndərˌʃərt | ▶noun an undergarment worn under a shirt.

undershoot

un der shoot ▶verb |ˌəndərˈSHo͞ot ˌəndərˈʃut | ( past and past participle undershot ) [ with obj. ] fall short of (a point or target ): the figure undershot the government's original estimate. • (of an aircraft ) land short of (the runway ). ▶noun |ˈəndərˌSHo͞ot ˈʌndəʃuːt |an act of undershooting.

undershorts

un der shorts |ˈəndərˌSHôrts ˈəndərʃˌɔrts | ▶plural noun underpants, esp. those worn by men or boys.

undershot

un der shot |ˈəndərˌSHät ˈˌəndərˈʃɑt | past and past participle of undershoot. ▶adjective 1 (of a waterwheel ) turned by water flowing under it. 2 denoting or having a lower jaw that projects beyond the upper jaw.

underside

un der side |ˈəndərˌsīd ˈəndərˌsaɪd | ▶noun the bottom or lower side or surface of something: the butterfly's wings have a mottled brown pattern on the underside. • the less favorable aspect of something: the sordid underside of the glamorous 1980s.

undersigned

un der signed |ˈəndərˌsīnd ˈəndərˌsaɪnd | ▶adjective (usu. as plural noun the undersigned ) formal whose signature is appended: we, the undersigned, wish to protest the current activities of the company.

undersized

un der sized |ˌəndərˈsīzd ˌʌndərˈsaɪzd |(also undersize ) ▶adjective of less than the usual size.

underskirt

un der skirt |ˈəndərˌskərt ˈəndərˌskərt | ▶noun a skirt worn under another; a petticoat.

underslung

un der slung |ˌəndərˈsləNG ˌəndərˈsləŋ | ▶adjective suspended from the underside of something: helicopters hover to lift underslung loads. • (of a vehicle chassis ) hanging lower than the axles.

undersoil

un der soil |ˈəndərˌsoil ˈəndərsɔɪl | ▶noun subsoil.

undersold

un der sold |ˌəndərˈsōld ˈˌəndərˈsoʊld | past and past participle of undersell.

undersow

under |sow |ʌndəˈsəʊ | ▶verb ( past participle undersown ) [ with obj. ] sow (a later-growing crop ) on land already seeded with another crop.

underspend

un der spend |ˌəndərˈspend ˌəndərˈspɛnd | ▶verb ( past and past participle underspent ) [ no obj. ] spend too little. • [ with obj. ] spend less than (a specified or allocated amount ): schools have underspent their training budgets.

understaff

un der staff |ˌəndərˈstaf ˌəndərˈstæf | ▶verb [ with obj. ] provide (an organization ) with too few staff members to operate effectively: (as adj. understaffed ) : the department is understaffed and overworked. DERIVATIVES un der staff ing noun

understairs

under |stairs |ˈʌndəstɛːz | ▶adjective in the space below a staircase: an understairs storage cupboard.

understand

un der stand |ˌəndərˈstand ˌəndərˈstænd | ▶verb ( past and past participle understood ) 1 [ with obj. ] perceive the intended meaning of (words, a language, or speaker ): he didn't understand a word I said | he could usually make himself understood | [ with clause ] : she understood what he was saying. • perceive the significance, explanation, or cause of (something ): she didn't really understand the situation | [ with clause ] : he couldn't understand why we burst out laughing | [ no obj. ] : you don't understand —she has left me. • be sympathetically or knowledgeably aware of the character or nature of: Picasso understood color | [ with clause ] : I understand how you feel. • interpret or view (something ) in a particular way: as the term is usually understood, legislation refers to regulations and directives. 2 [ with clause ] infer something from information received (often used as a polite formula in conversation ): I understand you're at art school | [ with obj. ] : as I understood it, she was flying back to New Zealand tomorrow. • [ with obj. ] regard (a missing word, phrase, or idea ) as present; supply mentally: “present company excepted ” is always understood when sweeping generalizations are being made. • [ with obj. ] assume to be the case; take for granted: he liked to play the field —that was understood. DERIVATIVES un der stand er noun ORIGIN Old English understandan (see under-, stand ).

understandable

un der stand a ble |ˌəndərˈstandəbəl ˌəndərˈstændəbəl | ▶adjective able to be understood: though his accent was strange, the words were perfectly understandable. • to be expected; natural, reasonable, or forgivable: such fears are understandable. DERIVATIVES un der stand a bil i ty |-ˌstandəˈbilətē |noun, un der stand a bly |-blē |adverb [ sentence adverb ] : understandably, Richard did not believe me

understanding

un der stand ing |ˌəndərˈstandiNG ˌəndərˈstændɪŋ | ▶noun the ability to understand something; comprehension: foreign visitors with little understanding of English. • the power of abstract thought; intellect: a child of sufficient intelligence and understanding. • an individual's perception or judgment of a situation: my understanding was that he would try to find a new supplier. • sympathetic awareness or tolerance: a problem that needs to be handled with understanding. • an informal or unspoken agreement or arrangement: he and I have an understanding | he had only been allowed to come on the understanding that he would be on his best behavior. ▶adjective 1 sympathetically aware of other people's feelings; tolerant and forgiving: people expect their doctor to be understanding. 2 archaic having insight or good judgment. DERIVATIVES un der stand ing ly adverb

understate

un der state |ˌəndərˈstāt ˌəndərˈsteɪt | ▶verb [ with obj. ] describe or represent (something ) as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is: the press has understated the extent of the problem. DERIVATIVES un der stat er |ˈəndərˌstātər |noun

understated

un der stat ed |ˌəndərˈstātid əndərˈsteɪdɪd | ▶adjective presented or expressed in a subtle and effective way: understated elegance. DERIVATIVES un der stat ed ly adverb

understatement

un der state ment |ˈəndərˌstātmənt ˈəndərˌsteɪtmənt | ▶noun the presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is: a master of English understatement | to say I am delighted is an understatement.

understeer

un der steer ▶verb |ˌəndərˈsti (ə )r ˌəndərˈstɪər | [ no obj. ] (of a motor vehicle ) have a tendency to turn less sharply than is intended: the car understeers on very fast bends. ▶noun |ˈəndərˌstir ˈəndərstɪər |the tendency of a vehicle to turn in such a way.

understocked

under |stocked |ˌʌndəˈstɒkt | ▶adjective having insufficient stock of goods, farm animals, etc.

understood

un der stood |ˌəndərˈsto͝od ˌəndərˈstʊd | past and past participle of understand.

understored

un der stored |ˈəndərˈstôrd ˌəndərˈstɔrd | ▶adjective supplied with fewer retail stores than the market demands: specific market niches in which Chicago is understored compared to Los Angeles and New York.

understory

un der sto ry |ˈəndərˌstôrē ˈəndərstɔri |(Brit. understorey ) ▶noun ( pl. understories ) Ecology a layer of vegetation beneath the main canopy of a forest.

understrapper

un der strap per |ˈəndərˌstrapər ˈəndərstræpər | ▶noun informal, dated an assistant or junior official.

understudy

un der stud y |ˈəndərˌstədē ˈəndərˌstədi | ▶noun ( pl. understudies ) (in the theater ) a person who learns another's role in order to be able to act as a replacement at short notice. ▶verb ( understudies, understudying, understudied ) [ with obj. ] learn (a role ) or the role played by (an actor ): he had to understudy Prospero.

undersubscribed

un der sub scribed |ˌəndərsəbˈskrībd ˌəndərsəbˈskraɪbd | ▶adjective (of a course or event ) having more places available than applications.

undersurface

un der sur face |ˈəndərsərfəs | ▶noun the lower surface of something; the surface underneath, or on the bottom of, something.

underswell

under |swell |ˈʌndəswɛl | ▶noun an undercurrent.

undertake

un der take |ˌəndərˈtāk ˌəndərˈteɪk | ▶verb ( past undertook; past participle undertaken ) [ with obj. ] commit oneself to and begin (an enterprise or responsibility ); take on: a firm of builders undertook the construction work. • [ usu. with infinitive ] promise to do a particular thing: the firm undertook to keep price increases to a minimum. • [ with clause ] guarantee or affirm something; give as a formal pledge: a truck driver implicitly undertakes that he is reasonably skilled as a driver.

undertaker

un der tak er |ˈəndərˌtākər ˈəndərˌteɪkər | ▶noun a person whose business is preparing dead bodies for burial or cremation and making arrangements for funerals.

undertaking

un der tak ing |ˈəndərˌtākiNG, ˌəndərˈtā -ˈəndərˌteɪkɪŋ ˌəndərˈteɪkɪŋ | ▶noun 1 a formal pledge or promise to do something: I give an undertaking that we shall proceed with the legislation. • a task that is taken on; an enterprise: a mammoth undertaking that involved digging into the side of a cliff face. • the action of undertaking to do something: the knowing undertaking of an obligation. 2 |ˈəndərˌtākiNG ˈʌndərteɪkɪŋ |the management of funerals as a profession.

undertenant

under |ten ¦ant |ˈʌndətɛnənt | ▶noun a subtenant. DERIVATIVES undertenancy noun ( pl. undertenancies )

underthings

un der things |ˈəndərˌTHiNGz ˈəndərθɪŋz | ▶plural noun underclothes, esp. those worn by a woman or girl.

underthrust

un der thrust |ˌəndərˈTHrəst ˌəndərˈθrəst |Geology ▶verb ( past and past participle underthrust ) [ with obj. ] force (a crustal plate or other body of rock ) beneath another plate or block. • be forced underneath (another plate or block ). ▶noun an instance of such forced movement.

undertint

un der tint |ˈəndərˌtint ˈəndərtɪnt | ▶noun a subdued or delicate tint.

undertip

un der tip |ˈəndərˈtip ˌəndərˈtɪp | ▶verb ( undertips, undertipping, undertipped ) give (someone ) an excessively small tip.

undertone

un der tone |ˈəndərˌtōn ˈəndərˌtoʊn | ▶noun a subdued or muted tone of sound or color: they were talking in undertones | a pallid undertone to her tanned skin. • an underlying quality or feeling: the sexual undertones of most advertising.

undertook

un der took |ˌəndərˈto͝ok ˌəndərˈtʊk | past participle of undertake.

undertow

un der tow |ˈəndərˌtō ˈəndərˌtoʊ | ▶noun another term for rip current, used in the incorrect belief that rip currents drag swimmers below the surface: I was swept away by the undertow. • an implicit quality, emotion, or influence underlying the superficial aspects of something and leaving a particular impression: there's a dark undertow of loss that links the novel with earlier works.

undertrained

un der trained |ˌəndərˈtrānd ˌəndərˈtreɪnd | ▶adjective with insufficient training for a job, sport, etc.

undertrial

under |trial |ˈʌndətrʌɪəl | ▶noun Indian informal a person who is on trial in a court of law.

undertrick

un der trick |ˈəndərˌtrik ˈəndərtrɪk | ▶noun Bridge a trick by which the declarer falls short of their contract.

underuse

un der use ▶verb |ˌəndərˈyo͞oz ˌəndərˈjuz | [ with obj. ] (usu. as adj. underused ) use (something ) below the optimum level: the owner noted a lot of underused space in that garage. ▶noun |ˌəndərˈyo͞os ʌndəˈjuːs |insufficient use: underuse of existing services.

underutilize

un der u ti lize |ˌəndərˈyo͞otlˌīz ˌəndərˈjutlˌaɪz | ▶verb [ with obj. ] underuse (something ). DERIVATIVES un der u ti li za tion |-ˌyo͞otl -əˈzāSHən |noun

undervalue

un der val ue |ˌəndərˈvalyo͞o ˌəndərˈvælju | ▶verb ( undervalues, undervaluing, undervalued ) [ with obj. ] (often as adj. undervalued ) rate (something ) insufficiently highly; fail to appreciate: the skills of the housewife remain undervalued in society. • underestimate the financial value of (something ): the company's assets were undervalued in its balance sheet. DERIVATIVES un der val u a tion |-ˌvalyo͞oˈāSHən |noun

undervest

un der vest |ˈəndərˌvest ˈəndərvɛst | ▶noun chiefly Brit. an undershirt.

undervote

un der vote |ˈəndərˌvōt ˌəndərˈvoʊt | ▶noun a ballot not counted because of unclear marking by the voter.

underwater

un der wa ter |ˌəndərˈwôtər, -ˈwätər ˈˌəndərˈwɔdər | ▶adjective & adverb situated, occurring, or done beneath the surface of the water: [ as adj. ] : there are underwater volcanoes in the region | [ as adv. ] : they learn to navigate underwater at night.

underway

un der way |ˌəndərˈwā ʌndərˈweɪ |(also under way ) ▶adverb 1 having started and in progress; being done or carried out: the remodeling should be underway by July. 2 (of a boat ) moving through the water: the ship was so huge and silent, I hadn't realized we had gotten underway. ORIGIN mid 18th cent. (as a nautical term ): from Dutch onderweg.

underwear

un der wear |ˈəndərˌwer ˈəndərˌwɛ (ə )r | ▶noun clothing worn under other clothes, typically next to the skin.

underweight

un der weight |ˈəndərˌwāt, ˌəndərˈwāt ˌəndərˈweɪt | ▶adjective below a weight considered normal or desirable: he was thirty pounds underweight. • Finance (also underweighted ) having less investment in a particular area than is considered desirable or appropriate: the company is still underweight in Japan | underweighted in technology. ▶verb [ with obj. ] apply too little weight to (something ): we feared the hot-air balloon had been underweighted | figurative : clinicians tend to overweight parent and underweight child information when deriving diagnoses. ▶noun |ʌndərˈweɪt |insufficient weight.

underwent

un der went |ˌəndərˈwent ˌəndərˈwɛnt | past of undergo.

underwhelm

un der whelm |ˌəndərˈ (h )welm ˌəndərˈhwɛlm | ▶verb [ with obj. ] (usu. be underwhelmed ) humorous fail to impress or make a positive impact on (someone ); disappoint: American voters seem underwhelmed by the choices for president. ORIGIN 1950s: suggested by overwhelm .

underwing

un der wing |ˈəndərˌwiNG ˈəndərwɪŋ | ▶noun 1 the hind wing of an insect, esp. when it is normally hidden by a forewing. 2 the underside of a bird's wing. 3 (also underwing moth ) [ usu. with modifier ] a moth with drab forewings and brightly colored hind wings, typically yellow or red with a black terminal band. [Several genera in the family Noctuidae. ]

underwire

un der wire |ˈəndərˌwīr ˈəndərwaɪər | ▶noun a semicircular wire support stitched under each cup of a bra. DERIVATIVES un der wired adjective

underwood

un der wood |ˈəndərˌwo͝od ˈəndərwʊd | ▶noun small trees and shrubs growing beneath taller timber trees.

underwork

un der work |ˌəndərˈwərk ˌəndərˈwərk | ▶verb [ with obj. ] (usu. be underworked ) impose too little work on (someone ): its members are viewed by the public as overpaid and underworked.

underworld

un der world |ˈəndərˌwərld ˈəndərˌwərld | ▶noun 1 the world of criminals or of organized crime. 2 the mythical abode of the dead, imagined as being under the earth.

underwrite

un der write |ˈəndə (r )ˌrīt, ˌəndə (r )ˈrīt ˌəndə (r )ˈraɪt | ▶verb ( past underwrote; past participle underwritten ) [ with obj. ] 1 sign and accept liability under (an insurance policy ), thus guaranteeing payment in case loss or damage occurs. • accept (a liability or risk ) in this way. 2 (of a bank or other financial institution ) engage to buy all the unsold shares in (an issue of new securities ). • undertake to finance or otherwise support or guarantee (something ): they were willing to underwrite the construction of a ship. 3 archaic write (something ) below something else, esp. other written matter. DERIVATIVES un der writ er |ˈəndə (r )ˌrītər |noun

Oxford Dictionary

under

under |ˈʌndə | ▶preposition 1 extending or directly below: vast stores of gas under the North Sea | the streams that ran under the melting glaciers. • below (something covering or protecting ): under several feet of water | a hot plate under an insulated lid. 2 at a lower level than: the room under his study. • behind (a physical surface ): it was written on the new canvas under a gluey coating. • behind or hidden behind (an appearance ): he had a deep sense of fun under his quiet exterior. • lower in grade or rank than: under him in the hierarchy. 3 lower than (a specified amount, rate, norm, or age ): they averaged just under 2.8 per cent. 4 controlled, managed, or governed by: the province is now under martial law | I was under his spell. • during the rule of: the coinage standard was reformed under Elizabeth I. • as a reaction to or undergoing the pressure of (something ): the sofa creaked under his weight | certain institutions may be under threat. • as provided for by the rules of; in accordance with: flowers supplied under contract by a local florist. • used to express grouping or classification: file it under ‘lost ’ | published under his own name. • Computing within the environment of (a particular operating system ): the program runs under DOS. 5 undergoing (a process ): under construction. • in a state of: children living under difficult circumstances. • planted with: fields under wheat. ▶adverb 1 extending or directly below something: weaving the body through the crossbars, over and under, over and under. 2 under water: he was floating for some time but suddenly went under. • affected by an anaesthetic; unconscious: the operation was quick; she was only under for 15 minutes. DERIVATIVES undermost adjective ORIGIN Old English, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch onder and German unter .

under-

under- |ˈʌndə | ▶prefix 1 below; beneath: underclothes | undercover. • lower in status; subordinate: undersecretary. 2 insufficiently; incompletely: undernourished.

underachieve

under |achieve |ʌndərəˈtʃiːv | ▶verb [ no obj. ] do less well than expected, especially in schoolwork. DERIVATIVES underachievement noun, underachiever noun

underact

under |act |ʌndərˈakt | ▶verb [ no obj. ] act a part in a play or film in an overly restrained or unemotional way.

underactive

underactive |ʌndərˈaktɪv | ▶adjective insufficiently active: a health problem such as an underactive thyroid.

underage

under age ▶adjective (of a person ) too young to engage legally in a particular activity, especially drinking alcohol or having sex. • [ attrib. ] (of an activity ) engaged in by people who are under age: underage drinking.

underappreciate

underappreciate |ʌndərəˈpriːʃɪeɪt, -sɪ -| ▶verb [ with obj. ] (usu. as adj. underappreciated ) fail to value sufficiently highly: one of the jazz world 's most underappreciated artists. DERIVATIVES underappreciation noun

underarm

under |arm |ˈʌndərɑːm | ▶adjective & adverb (of a throw or stroke in sport ) made with the arm or hand below shoulder level: [ as adj. ] : a good-length underarm serve | [ as adv. ] : bowling underarm. ▶noun a person's armpit: [ as modifier ] : use an underarm deodorant.

underbanked

underbelly

under |belly |ˈʌndəbɛli | ▶noun ( pl. underbellies ) the soft underside or abdomen of an animal. • an area vulnerable to attack: these multinationals have a soft underbelly. • a hidden unpleasant or criminal part of society.

underbid

under |bid ▶verb |ʌndəˈbɪd | ( underbids, underbidding; past and past participle underbid ) [ with obj. ] 1 (in an auction or competitive tendering ) make a lower bid than (someone ). 2 Bridge make a lower bid on (one's hand ) than its strength warrants. ▶noun |ˈʌndəbɪd |a bid that is lower than another or than is justified. DERIVATIVES underbidder noun

underbite

under |bite |ˈʌndəbʌɪt | ▶noun (in non-technical use ) the projection of the lower teeth beyond the upper.

underbody

under |body |ˈʌndəbɒdi | ▶noun ( pl. underbodies ) the underside of a road vehicle, ship, or animal's body.

underboss

under |boss ▶noun informal a boss's deputy, especially in the Mafia or another criminal organization.

underbred

under |bred |ʌndəˈbrɛd | ▶adjective dated bad-mannered; rude.

underbridge

under |bridge |ˈʌndəbrɪʤ | ▶noun a bridge spanning an opening under a railway or road.

underbrush

under |brush |ˈʌndəbrʌʃ | ▶noun [ mass noun ] N. Amer. shrubs and small trees forming the undergrowth in a forest.

undercapitalize

undercapitalize |ʌndəˈkapɪt (ə )lʌɪz |(also undercapitalise ) ▶verb [ with obj. ] provide (a company ) with insufficient capital to achieve desired results. DERIVATIVES undercapitalization noun

undercard

under |card |ˈʌndəkɑːd | ▶noun the list of less important bouts on the same bill as a main boxing match.

undercarriage

under |car ¦riage |ˈʌndəkarɪdʒ | ▶noun a wheeled structure beneath an aircraft, typically retracted when not in use, which supports the aircraft on the ground. • the supporting frame under the body of a vehicle.

undercart

under |cart |ˈʌndəkɑːt | ▶noun Brit. dated the undercarriage of an aircraft.

undercast

under |cast |ˈʌndəkɑːst | ▶verb ( past and past participle undercast ) [ with obj. ] allocate the parts in (a play or film ) to insufficiently skilled actors.

undercharge

under |charge |ʌndəˈtʃɑːdʒ | ▶verb [ with obj. ] 1 charge (someone ) a price or amount that is too low. 2 give less than the proper charge to (an electric battery ). ▶noun a charge that is insufficient.

underclass

under |class |ˈʌndəklɑːs | ▶noun the lowest social stratum in a country or community, consisting of the poor and unemployed.

underclassman

undercliff

under |cliff |ˈʌndəklɪf | ▶noun a terrace or lower cliff formed by a landslip.

undercling

undercling Climbing ▶noun a handhold which faces down the rock face. ▶verb [ no obj. ] climb using such handholds.

underclothes

under |clothes |ˈʌndəkləʊðz | ▶plural noun clothes worn under others, typically next to the skin. DERIVATIVES underclothing noun

undercoat

under |coat |ˈʌndəkəʊt | ▶noun 1 a layer of paint applied after the primer and before the topcoat. 2 an animal's underfur or down. ▶verb [ with obj. ] apply an undercoat of paint to.

underconsumption

under |con ¦sump ¦tion |ˌʌndəkənˈsʌmpʃ (ə )n | ▶noun [ mass noun ] Economics the purchase of goods and services at a level lower than that of their supply.

undercook

under |cook |ʌndəˈkʊk | ▶verb [ with obj. ] (usu. as adj. undercooked ) cook (something ) insufficiently: undercooked meats.

undercool

under |cool |ˈʌndəkʊːl | ▶verb another term for supercool.

undercount

under |count ▶verb |ˈʌndəkaʊnt | [ with obj. ] enumerate (something, especially a sector of a population in a census ) at a lower figure than the actual figure. ▶noun |ˈʌndəkʌʊnt |a count or figure that is inaccurately low. • the amount by which such a count or figure falls short of the actual figure.

undercover

under |cover |ʌndəˈkʌvə, ˈʌndə -| ▶adjective involving secret work within a community or organization, especially for the purposes of police investigation or espionage: an undercover police operation | [ as adv. ] : he worked undercover in Northern Ireland.

undercrackers

under |crack ¦ers ▶plural noun Brit. informal men's underpants.

undercroft

under |croft |ˈʌndəkrɒft | ▶noun the crypt of a church. ORIGIN late Middle English: from under- + the rare term croft ‘crypt ’, from Middle Dutch crofte ‘cave ’, from Latin crypta.

undercurrent

under |cur ¦rent |ˈʌndəkʌr (ə )nt | ▶noun 1 a current of water below the surface and moving in a different direction from any surface current. 2 an underlying feeling or influence, especially one that is contrary to the prevailing atmosphere and is not expressed openly: racial undercurrents.

undercut

under |cut ▶verb |ʌndəˈkʌt | ( undercuts, undercutting; past and past participle undercut ) [ with obj. ] 1 offer goods or services at a lower price than (a competitor ): these industries have been undercut by more efficient foreign producers. 2 cut or wear away the part below or under (something, especially a cliff ). • cut away material to leave (a carved design ) in relief. 3 weaken; undermine: the chairman denied his authority was being undercut. 4 Tennis strike (a ball ) with backspin so that it bounces high on landing. ▶noun |ˈʌndəkʌt | 1 a space formed by the removal or absence of material from the lower part of something. • N. Amer. a notch cut in a tree trunk to guide its fall when felled. 2 Brit. the underside of a sirloin of beef.

underdamp

under |damp ▶verb [ with obj. ] Physics damp (a system ) incompletely, so as to allow a few oscillations after a single disturbance.

underdetermine

underdeveloped

under |devel ¦oped |ʌndədɪˈvɛləpt | ▶adjective 1 not fully developed: underdeveloped kidneys | the community services are underfunded and underdeveloped. • (of a country or region ) not advanced economically. 2 (of a photographic film ) not developed sufficiently to give a normal image. DERIVATIVES underdevelopment noun

underdog

under |dog |ˈʌndədɒg | ▶noun a competitor thought to have little chance of winning a fight or contest. • a person who has little status in society.

underdone

under |done |ʌndəˈdʌn, ˈʌndə -| ▶adjective (of food ) insufficiently cooked.

underdrawing

under |draw ¦ing |ˈʌndədrɔː (r )ɪŋ | ▶noun [ mass noun ] sketched lines made by a painter as a preliminary guide, and subsequently covered with paint. • [ count noun ] such a preliminary sketch.

underdress

under |dress |ʌndəˈdrɛs | ▶verb [ no obj. ] (also be underdressed ) dress too plainly or too informally: without a pinstripe you'd be underdressed.

undereducated

under |edu ¦cated |ʌndərˈɛdjʊkeɪtɪd | ▶adjective poorly educated.

underemphasize

underemphasize |ʌndərˈɛmfəsʌɪz |(also underemphasise ) ▶verb [ with obj. ] place insufficient emphasis on: history is underemphasized in the curriculum. DERIVATIVES underemphasis noun

underemployed

under |employed |ʌndərɪmˈplɔɪd | ▶adjective (of a person ) not having enough paid work or not doing work that makes full use of their skills and abilities. DERIVATIVES underemployment noun

under-equipped

under-equipped ▶adjective not having all the necessary equipment or resources: many hospitals and clinics were understaffed and under-equipped.

underestimate

under |esti ¦mate ▶verb |ʌndərˈɛstɪmeɪt | [ with obj. ] estimate (something ) to be smaller or less important than it really is: the government has grossly underestimated the extent of the problem. • regard (someone ) as less capable than they really are: he had underestimated the new President. ▶noun |ʌndərˈɛstɪmət |an estimate that is too low. DERIVATIVES underestimation |-ˈmeɪʃ (ə )n |noun

underexpose

under |expose |ʌndərɪkˈspəʊz, -rɛk -| ▶verb [ with obj. ] Photography expose (film or an image ) for too short a time. DERIVATIVES underexposure noun

underfed

under |fed |ʌndəˈfɛd | ▶adjective insufficiently fed or nourished.

underfelt

under |felt |ˈʌndəfɛlt | ▶noun [ mass noun ] Brit. felt laid under a carpet to add thickness and reduce wear.

underfinanced

underfinanced |ʌndəfʌɪˈnanst, -fɪ "nanst, -ˈfʌɪnanst | ▶adjective not having or receiving sufficient funding: underfinanced inner-city schools.

under-fives

under-fives |ʌndəˈfʌɪvz | ▶plural noun chiefly Brit. children who are less than five years old, especially those who are not in full-time education.

underfloor

under |floor |ˈʌndəflɔː | ▶adjective (especially of a heating system ) situated or operating beneath the floor.

underflow

under |flow |ˈʌndəfləʊ | ▶noun 1 an undercurrent. • a horizontal flow of water through the ground, especially beneath a riverbed. 2 [ mass noun ] Computing the generation of a number that is too small to be represented in the device meant to store it.

underfoot

under |foot |ʌndəˈfʊt | ▶adverb under one's feet; on the ground: it was very muddy underfoot | figurative : genuine rights were being trodden underfoot . • constantly present and in one's way: the last thing my mother wanted was a child underfoot. ▶adjective [ attrib. ] relating to the state of the ground, especially in a horse race: the underfoot conditions were good.

underframe

under |frame |ˈʌndəfreɪm | ▶noun the supporting frame or substructure of something, in particular a vehicle or piece of furniture.

underfund

under |fund |ʌndəˈfʌnd | ▶verb [ with obj. ] provide with insufficient funding. DERIVATIVES underfunding noun

underfur

under |fur |ˈʌndəfəː | ▶noun [ mass noun ] an inner layer of short, fine fur or down underlying an animal's outer fur, providing warmth and waterproofing.

undergarment

under |gar ¦ment |ˈʌndəgɑːm (ə )nt | ▶noun an article of underclothing.

undergird

under |gird |ʌndəˈgəːd | ▶verb [ with obj. ] secure or fasten from the underside, especially by a rope or chain passed underneath. • formal provide support or a firm basis for.

underglaze

under |glaze |ˈʌndəgleɪz | ▶noun a colour or design applied to pottery before it is glazed.

undergo

undergrad

under |grad |ʌndəˈgrad | ▶noun informal an undergraduate.

undergraduate

under |gradu ¦ate |ʌndəˈgradjʊət | ▶noun a university student who has not yet taken a first degree.

underground

under |ground ▶adverb |ʌndəˈgraʊnd |beneath the surface of the ground: miners working underground. • in or into secrecy or hiding, especially as a result of carrying out subversive political activities: many were forced to go underground by the government. ▶adjective |ˈʌndəgraʊnd |situated beneath the surface of the ground: an underground car park. • relating to or denoting the secret activities of people working to subvert an established order: Czech underground literature. • relating to or denoting a group or movement seeking to explore alternative forms of lifestyle or artistic expression; radical and experimental: the New York underground art scene. ▶noun |ˈʌndəgraʊnd | 1 (often the Underground ) Brit. an underground railway, especially the one in London: travel chaos on the Underground. 2 a group or movement organized secretly to work against an existing regime. • a group or movement seeking to explore alternative forms of lifestyle or artistic expression: the late sixties underground. ▶verb [ with obj. ] lay (cables ) below ground level.

underground economy

under |ground econ |omy ▶noun North American term for black economy.

Underground Railroad

Underground Railroad (in the US ) a secret network for helping slaves escape from the South to the North and Canada in the years before the American Civil War.

undergrowth

under |growth |ˈʌndəgrəʊθ | ▶noun [ mass noun ] Brit. a dense growth of shrubs and other plants, especially under trees in woodland.

underhand

under |hand ▶adjective |ˈʌndəhand | 1 acting or done in a secret or dishonest way: underhand dealings. 2 another term for underarm: underhand bowling | [ as adv. ] : I served underhand. • with the palm of the hand upward or outward: an underhand grip. ORIGIN Old English in the sense ‘in or into subjection, under control ’ (see under-, hand ).

underhanded

under |hand ¦ed |ʌndəˈhandɪd | ▶adjective another term for underhand: underhanded practices. DERIVATIVES underhandedly adverb

underhung

under |hung |ˈʌndəhʌŋ, ʌndəˈhʌŋ | ▶adjective another term for undershot ( sense 2 ).

underinsured

under |insured |ˌʌndərɪnˈʃʊəd | ▶adjective (of a person ) having inadequate insurance cover. DERIVATIVES underinsurance noun

underinvest

under |invest |ʌndərɪnˈvɛst | ▶verb [ no obj. ] fail to invest sufficient money or resources in a project or enterprise: we persistently underinvest in historic buildings. DERIVATIVES underinvestment noun

underlay

underlay 1 ▶verb |ʌndəˈleɪ | ( past and past participle underlaid ) [ with obj. ] place something under (something else ), especially to support or raise it. ▶noun |ˈʌndəleɪ | [ mass noun ] 1 something placed under or behind something else, especially material laid under a carpet for protection or support. 2 Music the manner in which the words are fitted to the notes of a piece of vocal music. ORIGIN Old English underlecgan (see under-, lay 1 ).

underlay

underlay 2 |ˈʌndəleɪ | past tense of underlie.

underlayment

underlease

under |lease |ˈʌndəliːs | ▶noun & verb another term for sublease.

underlet

under |let |ʌndəˈlɛt | ▶verb ( underlets, underletting; past and past participle underlet ) another term for sublease.

underlever

under |lever |ˈʌndəliːvə | ▶noun a lever behind the trigger guard on a rifle.

underlie

under |lie |ʌndəˈlʌɪ | ▶verb ( underlies, underlying; past underlay; past participle underlain ) [ with obj. ] 1 (especially of a layer of rock or soil ) lie or be situated under (something ). 2 be the cause or basis of (something ): the fundamental issue which underlies the conflict | (as adj. underlying ) : the underlying causes of poverty and drug addiction. ORIGIN Old English underlicgan ‘be subject or subordinate to ’ (see under-, lie 1 ).

underlife

underline

under |line ▶verb |ʌndəˈlʌɪn | [ with obj. ] draw a line under (a word or phrase ) to give emphasis or indicate special type. • emphasize (something ): the improvement in retail sales was underlined by these figures. ▶noun |ˈʌndəlʌɪn | 1 a line drawn under a word or phrase, especially for emphasis. 2 the line of the lower part of an animal's body.

underlinen

under |linen |ˈʌndəlɪnɪn | ▶noun [ mass noun ] archaic underclothes, especially those made of linen.

underling

under |ling |ˈʌndəlɪŋ | ▶noun chiefly derogatory a person lower in status or rank.

underlip

under |lip |ˈʌndəlɪp | ▶noun the lower lip of a person or animal.

underlit

under |lit ▶adjective having insufficient light or lighting; dim.

underlying

under |lying |ʌndəˈlʌɪɪŋ | present participle of underlie.

underman

under |man |ʌndəˈman | ▶verb ( undermans, undermanning, undermanned ) [ with obj. ] fail to provide with enough workers or crew: the public prosecutor's offices are hopelessly undermanned.

undermanager

under |man ¦ager |ˈʌndəmanɪdʒə | ▶noun a manager who is subordinate to another manager.

undermentioned

under |men ¦tioned |ʌndəˈmɛnʃ (ə )nd, ˈʌndə -| ▶adjective Brit. mentioned at a later place in a book or document.

undermine

under |mine |ʌndəˈmʌɪn | ▶verb [ with obj. ] 1 erode the base or foundation of (a rock formation ). • dig or excavate beneath (a building or fortification ) so as to make it collapse. 2 lessen the effectiveness, power, or ability of, especially gradually or insidiously: this could undermine years of hard work. DERIVATIVES underminer noun ORIGIN Middle English: from under- + the verb mine 2, probably suggested by Middle Dutch ondermineren.

underneath

under |neath |ʌndəˈniːθ | ▶preposition & adverb 1 situated directly below (something else ): [ as prep. ] : our bedroom's right underneath theirs | four names written underneath each other | [ as adv. ] : his eyes were red-rimmed with black bags underneath | [ as adj. ] : on longer hair, the underneath layers can be permed to give extra body. 2 so as to be concealed by (something else ): [ as prep. ] : money changed hands underneath the table | figurative : underneath his aloof air, Nicky was a warm and open young man | [ as adv. ] : paint was peeling off in flakes to reveal greyish plaster underneath. • partly or wholly concealed by (a garment ): [ as prep. ] : she could easily see the broadness of his shoulders underneath a tailored white sports shirt | [ as adv. ] : undoing her jacket to reveal nothing but a bra underneath. ▶noun [ in sing. ] the part or side of something facing towards the ground; the underside. ORIGIN Old English underneothan; compare with beneath .

undernourished

under |nour ¦ished |ʌndəˈnʌrɪʃt | ▶adjective having insufficient food or other substances for good health and condition: undernourished children. DERIVATIVES undernourishment noun

underoccupancy

under |occu ¦pancy ▶noun [ mass noun ] Brit. (with reference to holiday or hospital accommodation ) the state of not being occupied to the expected or advertised capacity.

underpaid

under |paid |ʌndəˈpeɪd | past and past participle of underpay.

underpainting

under |paint ¦ing |ˈʌndəpeɪntɪŋ | ▶noun [ mass noun ] paint subsequently overlaid with another layer or with a finishing coat.

underpants

under |pants |ˈʌndəpan (t )s | ▶plural noun an undergarment, especially for men or boys, covering the lower part of the body and having two holes for the legs.

underpart

under |part |ˈʌndəpɑːt | ▶noun a lower part of something. • (underparts ) the underside of an animal's body, especially when of a specified colour or pattern.

underpass

under |pass |ˈʌndəpɑːs | ▶noun a road or pedestrian tunnel passing under a road or railway.

underpay

under |pay |ʌndəˈpeɪ | ▶verb ( past and past participle underpaid ) [ with obj. ] pay too little to (someone ). • pay less than is due for (something ): (as adj. underpaid ) : late or underpaid tax. DERIVATIVES underpayment noun

underperform

under |per ¦form |ʌndəpəˈfɔːm | ▶verb [ no obj. ] perform less well than expected. • [ with obj. ] increase in value less than: the shares have underperformed the market. DERIVATIVES underperformance noun

underpin

under |pin |ʌndəˈpɪn | ▶verb ( underpins, underpinning, underpinned ) [ with obj. ] 1 support (a building or other structure ) from below by laying a solid foundation below ground level or by substituting stronger for weaker materials. 2 support, justify, or form the basis for: the theme of honour underpinning the two books.

underpinning

under |pin |ning |ˈʌndəpɪnɪŋ | ▶noun 1 a solid foundation laid below ground level to support or strengthen a building. 2 a set of ideas, motives, or devices which justify or form the basis for something: the theoretical underpinning for free-market economics.

underplant

under |plant |ʌndəˈplɑːnt | ▶verb [ with obj. ] plant or cultivate the ground around (a tall plant ) with smaller plants: the roses are underplanted with pink and white bulbs.

underplay

under |play |ʌndəˈpleɪ | ▶verb [ with obj. ] 1 perform (something ) in a restrained way: the violins underplayed the romantic element in the music. 2 represent (something ) as being less important than it really is: I do not wish to underplay the tragedies that have occurred.

underplot

under |plot |ˈʌndəplɒt | ▶noun a subordinate plot in a play, novel, or similar work.

underpopulated

under |popu ¦lated |ʌndəˈpɒpjʊleɪtɪd | ▶adjective having an insufficient or very small population. DERIVATIVES underpopulation noun

underpowered

under |pow ¦ered |ʌndəˈpaʊəd | ▶adjective lacking sufficient mechanical, electrical, or other power.

underprepared

under |pre ¦pared |ʌndəprɪˈpɛːd | ▶adjective not having prepared sufficiently to carry out a task.

underprice

under |price |ʌndəˈprʌɪs | ▶verb [ with obj. ] sell or offer at too low a price: water shares were underpriced. • sell or offer something at a lower price than (the competition ): Wal-Mart has underpriced its traditional competitors.

underprivileged

under |priv ¦il ¦eged |ʌndəˈprɪvɪlɪdʒd | ▶adjective (of a person ) not enjoying the same standard of living or rights as the majority of people in a society.

underproduce

under |pro ¦duce |ˌʌndəprəˈdjuːs | ▶verb [ with obj. ] 1 produce less of (a commodity ) than is wanted or needed. 2 (often as adj. underproduced ) record or produce (a song or film ) in such a basic way that it appears rough or unfinished. DERIVATIVES underproduction noun

underproof

under |proof |ˈʌndəpruːf | ▶adjective containing less alcohol than proof spirit does.

underprop

under |prop |ʌndəˈprɒp | ▶verb ( underprops, underpropping, underpropped ) [ with obj. ] archaic support, especially with a prop.

underqualified

under |quali ¦fied ▶adjective insufficiently qualified for a particular job.

underquote

under |quote |ʌndəˈkwəʊt | ▶verb [ with obj. ] give too low an estimated cost for (a commodity or service ).

underrate

under |rate |ʌndəˈreɪt | ▶verb [ with obj. ] (often as adj. underrated ) underestimate the extent, value, or importance of (someone or something ): a very underrated film.

under-read

under-read |ʌndəˈriːd | ▶verb ( past and past participle under-read ) [ no obj. ] (of a gauge or dial ) show a reading lower than the true one.

under-record

under-rehearsed

under-rehearsed ▶adjective (of a performance or performer ) insufficiently rehearsed.

under-report

under-report |ʌndərɪˈpɔːt | ▶verb [ with obj. ] fail to report (something, especially news or data ) fully.

under-represent

under-represent |ʌndərɛprɪˈzɛnt | ▶verb [ with obj. ] provide with insufficient or inadequate representation: women are under-represented at high levels. DERIVATIVES under-representation noun

under-resourced

under-resourced ▶adjective provided with insufficient resources: under-resourced schools. DERIVATIVES under-resourcing noun

undersaturated

under |satur ¦ated |ˌʌndəˈsatjʊərɛɪtɪd | ▶adjective technical falling short of being saturated with a particular constituent. DERIVATIVES undersaturation noun

underscore

under |score ▶noun |ʌndəˈskɔː |a line drawn under a word or phrase for emphasis. • (on a computer or typewriter keyboard ) a short horizontal line _ on the baseline. ▶verb |ˈʌndəskɔː | [ with obj. ] underline (something ). • emphasize: the company underscored the progress made with fuel cells.

undersea

under |sea |ˈʌndəsiː | ▶adjective situated, occurring, or done below the sea or the surface of the sea.

underseal

undersecretary

under |sec ¦re ¦tary |ʌndəˈsɛkrətri | ▶noun ( pl. undersecretaries ) a subordinate official, in particular (in the UK ) a junior minister or senior civil servant, or (in the US ) the principal assistant to a member of the cabinet.

undersell

under |sell |ʌndəˈsɛl | ▶verb ( past and past participle undersold ) [ with obj. ] sell something at a lower price than (a competitor ). • promote or value (something ) insufficiently.

underserved

under |served ▶adjective inadequately provided with a service or facility: a medically underserved community.

underset

undersexed

under |sexed |ʌndəˈsɛkst | ▶adjective having unusually weak sexual desires.

undersheriff

under |sher ¦iff ▶noun a deputy sheriff.

undershirt

under |shirt |ˈʌndəʃəːt | ▶noun chiefly N. Amer. an undergarment worn under a shirt; a vest.

undershoot

under |shoot ▶verb |ʌndəˈʃuːt | ( past and past participle undershot ) [ with obj. ] 1 (of an aircraft ) land short of (the runway ). 2 fall short of (a point or target ): the figure undershot the government's original estimate. ▶noun |ˈʌndəʃuːt |an act of undershooting.

undershorts

under |shorts |ˈʌndəʃɔːts | ▶plural noun chiefly N. Amer. underpants.

undershot

undershot |ˈʌndəʃɒt | past and past participle of undershoot ▶adjective 1 (of a waterwheel ) turned by water flowing under it. 2 denoting or having a lower jaw which projects beyond the upper jaw.

undershrub

under |shrub |ˈʌndəʃrʌb | ▶noun another term for subshrub.

underside

under |side |ˈʌndəsʌɪd | ▶noun the bottom or lower side or surface of something: the butterfly's wings have a mottled brown pattern on the underside. • the less favourable aspect of something: the sordid underside of the glamorous 1980s.

undersigned

undersigned |ʌndəˈsʌɪnd, ˈʌndə - | formal ▶noun (the undersigned ) the signatory or co-signatories to the document in question: we, the undersigned, wish to protest at the current activities of the company. ▶adjective having appended one's signature to the document in question.

undersized

undersized |ʌndəˈsʌɪzd, ˈʌndə - |(also undersize ) ▶adjective of less than the usual size.

underskirt

under |skirt |ˈʌndəskəːt | ▶noun a skirt worn under another; a petticoat.

underslung

under |slung |ʌndəˈslʌŋ | ▶adjective suspended from the underside of something: helicopters hover to lift underslung loads. • (of a vehicle chassis ) hanging lower than the axles.

undersoil

under |soil |ˈʌndəsɔɪl | ▶noun [ mass noun ] subsoil.

undersold

under |sold |ʌndəˈsəʊld | past and past participle of undersell.

undersow

under |sow |ʌndəˈsəʊ | ▶verb ( past participle undersown ) [ with obj. ] sow (a later-growing crop ) on land already seeded with another crop.

underspend

under |spend ▶verb |ʌndəˈspɛnd | ( past and past participle underspent ) [ no obj. ] spend too little. • [ with obj. ] spend less than (a specified or allocated amount ): schools have underspent their training budgets. ▶noun |ˈʌndəspɛnd | [ in sing. ] an act of underspending: areas in the year's budget where there has been an underspend.

understaffed

under |staffed |ʌndəˈstɑːft | ▶adjective having too few members of staff to operate effectively: the department is understaffed and overworked. DERIVATIVES understaffing noun

understairs

under |stairs |ˈʌndəstɛːz | ▶adjective in the space below a staircase: an understairs storage cupboard.

understand

under |stand |ʌndəˈstand | ▶verb ( past and past participle understood |-ˈstʊd | ) [ with obj. ] 1 perceive the intended meaning of (words, a language, or a speaker ): he didn't understand a word I said | he could usually make himself understood | [ with clause ] : she understood what he was saying. • perceive the significance, explanation, or cause of: she didn't really understand the situation | [ with clause ] : he couldn't understand why we burst out laughing. 2 interpret or view (something ) in a particular way: as the term is usually understood, legislation refers to regulations and directives. • [ with clause ] infer something from information received (often used as a polite formula in conversation ): I understand you're at art school | [ with obj. ] : as I understood it, she was flying back to the States tomorrow. • regard (a missing word, phrase, or idea ) as present: ‘present company excepted ’ is always understood when sweeping generalizations are being made. • [ with clause ] assume to be the case; take for granted: he liked to play the field, that was understood. 3 be sympathetically or knowledgeably aware of the character or nature of: Picasso understood colour | [ with clause ] : I understand how you feel. DERIVATIVES understander noun ORIGIN Old English understandan (see under-, stand ).

understandable

under |stand |able |ʌndəˈstandəbl | ▶adjective able to be understood: though his accent was strange, the words were perfectly understandable. • to be expected; natural, reasonable, or forgivable: such fears are understandable | it is understandable that mistakes occur sometimes. DERIVATIVES understandability |-ˈbɪlɪti |noun, understandably adverb [ sentence adverb ] : understandably, Richard did not believe me

understanding

under |stand |ing |ʌndəˈstandɪŋ | ▶noun [ mass noun ] 1 the ability to understand something; comprehension: foreign visitors with little understanding of English. • the power of abstract thought; intellect: a child of sufficient intelligence and understanding. • an individual's perception or judgement of a situation: my understanding was that he would find a new supplier. 2 sympathetic awareness or tolerance: he wrote with understanding and affection of the people of Dent. 3 [ count noun ] an informal or unspoken agreement or arrangement: he and I have an understanding | he had only been allowed to come on the understanding that he would be on his best behaviour. ▶adjective 1 sympathetically aware of other people's feelings; tolerant and forgiving. 2 archaic having insight or good judgement. DERIVATIVES understandingly adverb

understate

under |state |ʌndəˈsteɪt | ▶verb [ with obj. ] describe or represent (something ) as being smaller or less good or important than it really is: the press have understated the extent of the problem. DERIVATIVES understater noun

understated

under |stated |ˌʌndəˈstəɪtɪd | ▶adjective presented or expressed in a subtle and effective way: understated elegance. DERIVATIVES understatedly adverb

understatement

under |state |ment |ʌndəˈsteɪtm (ə )nt, ˈʌndə -| ▶noun [ mass noun ] the presentation of something as being smaller or less good or important than it really is: a master of English understatement | [ count noun ] : to say I am delighted is an understatement.

understeer

under |steer |ˈʌndəstɪə | ▶verb [ no obj. ] (of a motor vehicle ) have a tendency to turn less sharply than is intended: the turbo understeers on very fast bends. ▶noun [ mass noun ] the tendency of a vehicle to turn less sharply than intended.

understocked

under |stocked |ˌʌndəˈstɒkt | ▶adjective having insufficient stock of goods, farm animals, etc.

understood

under |stood |ʌndəˈstʊd | past and past participle of understand.

understored

understorey

under |storey |ˈʌndəstɔːri | ▶noun ( pl. understoreys ) Ecology a layer of vegetation beneath the main canopy of a forest.

understrapper

under |strap ¦per |ˈʌndəstrapə | ▶noun informal, dated an assistant or junior official.

understudy

under |study |ˈʌndəstʌdi | ▶noun ( pl. understudies ) (in the theatre ) a person who learns another's role in order to be able to act at short notice in their absence. ▶verb ( understudies, understudying, understudied ) [ with obj. ] study (a role or actor ) as an understudy: he had to understudy Prospero.

undersubscribed

under |sub ¦scribed |ʌndəsəbˈskrʌɪbd | ▶adjective (of a course or event ) having more places available than applications. • (of a share issue ) having fewer applications for shares than there are shares available.

undersurface

under |sur ¦face |ˈʌndəsəːfɪs | ▶noun the lower or under surface of something.

underswell

under |swell |ˈʌndəswɛl | ▶noun an undercurrent.

undertake

under |take |ʌndəˈteɪk | ▶verb ( past undertook; past participle undertaken ) [ with obj. ] commit oneself to and begin (an enterprise or responsibility ); take on: a firm of builders undertook the construction work. • [ usu. with infinitive ] promise to do a particular thing: the firm undertook to keep price increases to a minimum. • [ with clause ] guarantee or affirm something; give as a formal pledge: a lorry driver implicitly undertakes that he is reasonably skilled as a driver.

undertaker

under |taker |ˈʌndəteɪkə | ▶noun a person whose business is preparing dead bodies for burial or cremation and making arrangements for funerals.

undertaking

under |tak ¦ing |ʌndəˈteɪkɪŋ | ▶noun 1 a formal pledge or promise to do something: I give an undertaking that we shall proceed with the legislation. • [ mass noun ] the action of undertaking to do something: the knowing undertaking of an obligation. 2 a task that is taken on; an enterprise: a mammoth undertaking that involved digging into the side of a cliff face. • a company or business: national transport undertakings. 3 [ mass noun ] the business of managing funerals.

undertenant

under |ten ¦ant |ˈʌndətɛnənt | ▶noun a subtenant. DERIVATIVES undertenancy noun ( pl. undertenancies )

underthings

under |things |ˈʌndəθɪŋz | ▶plural noun underclothes.

underthrust

underthrust |ˈʌndəθrʌst |Geology ▶verb ( past and past participle underthrust ) [ with obj. ] force (a crustal plate or other body of rock ) beneath another formation. • be forced underneath (another formation ). ▶noun an instance of such forced movement.

undertint

under |tint |ˈʌndətɪnt | ▶noun a subdued or delicate tint.

undertip

under |tip ▶verb ( undertips, undertipping, undertipped ) [ with obj. ] give (someone ) an excessively small tip: I was so mad I undertipped the waiter at the sushi bar.

undertone

under |tone |ˈʌndətəʊn | ▶noun a subdued or muted tone of sound or colour: they were talking in undertones. • an underlying quality or feeling: the sexual undertones of most advertising.

undertook

under |took |ʌndəˈtʊk | past participle of undertake.

undertow

under |tow |ˈʌndətəʊ | ▶noun another term for undercurrent.

undertrained

under |trained |ʌndəˈtreɪnd | ▶adjective (of a person ) with insufficient training for a job, sport, etc.

undertrial

under |trial |ˈʌndətrʌɪəl | ▶noun Indian informal a person who is on trial in a court of law.

undertrick

under |trick |ˈʌndətrɪk | ▶noun Bridge a trick by which the declarer falls short of their contract.

underuse

underutilize

underutilize |ʌndəˈjuːtɪlʌɪz |(also underutilise ) ▶verb [ with obj. ] underuse (something ). DERIVATIVES underutilization |ˌʌndəjuːtɪlʌɪˈzeɪʃ (ə )n |noun

undervalue

under |value |ʌndəˈvaljuː | ▶verb ( undervalues, undervaluing, undervalued ) [ with obj. ] (often as adj. undervalued ) rate (something ) insufficiently highly; fail to appreciate: the skills of the housewife remain undervalued in society. • underestimate the financial value of (something ): the company's assets were undervalued in its balance sheet. ▶noun a price below the real value. DERIVATIVES undervaluation |-jʊˈeɪʃ (ə )n |noun

undervest

under |vest |ˈʌndəvɛst | ▶noun a vest worn as an undergarment.

undervote

under |vote ▶noun US a ballot paper or vote that is not counted because of unclear marking by the voter.

underwater

under |water |ʌndəˈwɔːtə | ▶adjective & adverb situated, occurring, or done beneath the surface of the water: there are underwater volcanoes in the region | [ as adv. ] : the seal spent a lot of time underwater.

under way

under way (also underway ) ▶adverb 1 having started and in progress; being done or carried out: recruitment is well under way. 2 (of a boat ) moving through the water: no time was lost in getting under way . ORIGIN mid 18th cent. (as a nautical term ): from Dutch onderweg.

underwear

under |wear |ˈʌndəwɛː | ▶noun [ mass noun ] clothing worn under other clothes, typically next to the skin.

underweight

under |weight ▶adjective |ʌndəˈweɪt | 1 below a weight considered normal or desirable: he was thirty pounds underweight. 2 Finance having less investment in a particular area than is considered desirable: the company is still underweight in Japan. ▶verb [ with obj. ] apply too little weight to: we feared the hot-air balloon had been underweighted. ▶noun |ˈʌndəweɪt | [ mass noun ] insufficient weight.

underwent

under |went |ʌndəˈwɛnt | past of undergo.

underwhelm

under |whelm |ˌʌndəˈwɛlm | ▶verb [ with obj. ] humorous fail to impress or make a positive impact on (someone ); disappoint: American voters seem underwhelmed by the choices for president. ORIGIN 1950s: suggested by overwhelm .

underwing

under |wing |ˈʌndəwɪŋ | ▶noun 1 the hindwing of an insect, especially when it is normally hidden by a forewing. 2 the underside of a bird's wing. 3 (also underwing moth ) [ usu. with modifier ] a moth with drab forewings and brightly coloured hindwings, typically yellow with a black terminal band. ●Several genera in the family Noctuidae. .

underwire

under |wire |ˈʌndəwʌɪə (r )| ▶noun a semicircular wire support stitched under each cup of a bra. DERIVATIVES underwired adjective

underwood

under |wood |ˈʌndəwʊd | ▶noun [ mass noun ] small trees and shrubs growing beneath taller timber trees.

underwork

under |work |ˈʌndəwəːk | ▶verb [ with obj. ] impose too little work on (someone ).

underworld

under |world |ˈʌndəwəːld | ▶noun 1 the world of criminals or of organized crime. 2 the mythical abode of the dead, imagined as being under the earth.

underwrite

under |write |ʌndəˈrʌɪt, ˈʌndərʌɪt | ▶verb ( past underwrote; past participle underwritten ) [ with obj. ] 1 sign and accept liability under (an insurance policy ), thus guaranteeing payment in case loss or damage occurs. • accept (a liability or risk ) in this way. 2 (of a bank or other financial institution ) engage to buy all the unsold shares in (an issue of new shares ). • undertake to finance or otherwise support or guarantee (something ): they were willing to underwrite, in part, the construction of a ship. 3 archaic write (something ) below something else, especially other written matter. DERIVATIVES underwriter |ˈʌn - |noun

American Oxford Thesaurus

under

under preposition 1 they hid under a bush: beneath, below, underneath. ANTONYMS above, over. 2 the rent is under $450: less than, lower than, below. ANTONYMS more than, over. 3 branch managers are under the retail director: subordinate to, junior to, inferior to, subservient to, answerable to, responsible to, subject to, controlled by. ANTONYMS above, over. 4 the town was under water: flooded by, immersed in, submerged by, sunk in, engulfed by, inundated by. ANTONYMS above. 5 forty homes are under construction: undergoing, in the process of. 6 our finances are under pressure: subject to, liable to, at the mercy of. ▶adverb coughing and spluttering she went under: down, lower, below, underneath, beneath; underwater.

underachiever

underachiever noun these underachievers are very intelligent and yet have no interest in their own potential: underperformer, slacker, disappointment, failure, loser.

underarm

underarm noun swollen nodes in her left underarm: armpit, pit; technical axilla.

undercooked

undercooked adjective I can't eat asparagus if it's undercooked: underdone, half-cooked, half-baked, uncooked; rare, raw.

undercover

undercover adjective she does undercover work for the insurance company: covert, secret, clandestine, incognito, underground, surreptitious, furtive, cloak-and-dagger, stealthy, hidden, concealed, backstairs, closet; informal hush-hush, sneaky, on the QT. ANTONYMS overt.

undercurrent

undercurrent noun 1 dangerous undercurrents in the cove: undertow, underflow; riptide. 2 the undercurrent of despair in his words: undertone, overtone, suggestion, connotation, intimation, hint, nuance, trace, suspicion, whisper, tinge; feeling, atmosphere, aura, echo; informal vibes.

undercut

undercut verb 1 the firm undercut their rivals: charge less than, undersell, underprice, underbid. 2 his authority was being undercut: undermine, weaken, impair, sap, threaten, subvert, sabotage, ruin, destabilize, wreck.

underdog

underdog noun yesterday's underdog is today's champion: long shot, dark horse, weaker one, little guy, David; downtrodden, victim, loser, fall guy.

underestimate

underestimate verb underestimating the opposition was our biggest mistake: underrate, undervalue, lowball, do an injustice to, be wrong about, sell short, play down, understate; minimize, de-emphasize, underemphasize, diminish, gloss over, trivialize; miscalculate, misjudge, misconstrue, misread. ANTONYMS exaggerate.

underfoot

underfoot adverb it was very muddy underfoot: underneath, beneath one's feet, on the ground.

underfunded

underfunded adjective the reality is that many of these underfunded programs have to shut down: undercapitalized, cash-starved, starved for funds, neglected.

undergo

undergo verb she underwent a lengthy cross-examination: go through, experience, undertake, face, submit to, be subjected to, come in for, receive, sustain, endure, brave, bear, tolerate, stand, withstand, weather.

undergraduate

undergraduate noun most of my students are undergraduates: student, undergrad, scholar, freshman; informal frosh.

underground

underground adjective 1 an underground parking garage: subterranean, buried, sunken, subsurface, basement. 2 underground trade: clandestine, secret, surreptitious, covert, undercover, closet, cloak-and-dagger, back-alley, backstairs, black-market, hidden, sneaky, furtive; resistance, subversive; informal hush-hush. 3 the underground art scene: alternative, radical, revolutionary, unconventional, unorthodox, avant-garde, counterculture, experimental, innovative. ▶adverb 1 the insects live underground: below ground, in the earth, subterraneously. 2 the rebels went underground: into hiding, into seclusion, undercover, to earth, to ground.

undergrowth

undergrowth noun the undergrowth is a habitat for various small mammals and certain birds: shrubbery, vegetation, underbrush, greenery, ground cover, underwood, brushwood, brush, scrub, bush, covert, thicket, copse; bushes, plants, brambles, herbage; technical herbaceous layer.

underhanded

underhanded adjective lying about knowing their son was just one of the underhanded things he did: deceitful, deceptive, dishonest, dishonorable, disreputable, unethical, unprincipled, immoral, unscrupulous, fraudulent, dubious, unfair, snide; treacherous, lowdown, duplicitous, double-dealing; devious, artful, crooked, shady, crafty, conniving, scheming, sly, wily, not aboveboard; clandestine, backstairs, secret, surreptitious, sneaky, furtive, covert, cloak-and-dagger. ANTONYMS honest.

underline

underline verb 1 she underlined a phrase: underscore, mark, pick out, emphasize, highlight. 2 the program underlines the benefits of exercise: emphasize, stress, highlight, accentuate, accent, focus on, spotlight, point up, play up.

underling

underling noun he dishes out orders to his underlings: subordinate, inferior, junior, minion, lackey, subaltern, flunky, menial, vassal, subject, hireling, servant, henchman, factotum; informal gofer. ANTONYMS boss.

underlying

underlying adjective 1 the underlying aims of the research: fundamental, basic, primary, prime, central, principal, root, chief, cardinal, key, elementary, intrinsic, essential. 2 an underlying feeling of irritation: latent, repressed, suppressed, unrevealed, undisclosed, unexpressed, concealed, hidden, masked.

undermine

undermine verb 1 their integrity is being undermined: subvert, undercut, sabotage, threaten, weaken, compromise, diminish, reduce, impair, mar, spoil, ruin, damage, hurt, injure, cripple, sap, shake; informal drag through the mud. ANTONYMS strengthen, enhance. 2 rivers undermined their banks: erode, wear away, eat away at.

underneath

underneath adjective & adverb the underneath suitcase is mine | the woodchuck burrowed underneath the garage: below, beneath, under, underfoot, lower down.

underpin

underpin verb See reinforce (sense 1 ).

underprivileged

underprivileged adjective he spends his summers backpacking with underprivileged children from his hometown: needy, deprived, disadvantaged, poor, destitute, in need, in straitened circumstances, impoverished, poverty-stricken, on the poverty line, indigent, lower-class; formal penurious. ANTONYMS wealthy.

underrate

underrate verb for years the girls' athletic program was underrated: undervalue, underestimate, do an injustice to, sell short, play down, understate, minimize, diminish, downgrade, trivialize. ANTONYMS exaggerate.

undersized

undersized adjective the lack of nutrients will result in undersized tomatoes: underdeveloped, stunted, small, short, little, tiny, petite, slight, compact, miniature, mini, diminutive, dwarfish, pygmy, pint-sized, pocket-sized, baby, teeny-weeny, itsy-bitsy, itty-bitty, vertically challenged. ANTONYMS overgrown.

understand

understand verb 1 he couldn't understand anything we said: comprehend, grasp, take in, see, apprehend, follow, make sense of, fathom; unravel, decipher, interpret; informal figure out, work out, make head (s ) or tail (s ) of, get one's head around, get the drift of, catch on to, get; Brit. informal twig. 2 she understood how hard he'd worked: appreciate, recognize, realize, acknowledge, know, be aware of, be conscious of; informal be wise to; formal be cognizant of. 3 I understand that you wish to go: believe, gather, take it, hear (tell ), notice, see, learn; conclude, infer, assume, surmise, fancy. ▶exclamation I want out, understand? get it, get the picture, see, right, know what I mean, get my drift, capisce, comprende.

understandable

understandable adjective 1 make it understandable to the beginner: comprehensible, intelligible, coherent, clear, explicit, unambiguous, transparent, plain, straightforward, digestible, accessible, user-friendly. 2 an understandable desire to be happy: unsurprising, expected, predictable, inevitable; reasonable, acceptable, logical, rational, normal, natural; justifiable, justified, defensible, excusable, pardonable, forgivable.

understanding

understanding noun 1 test your understanding of the language: comprehension, apprehension, grasp, mastery, appreciation, assimilation, absorption; knowledge, awareness, insight, skill, expertise, proficiency; informal know-how; formal cognizance. ANTONYMS ignorance. 2 it was my understanding that this was free: belief, perception, view, conviction, feeling, opinion, intuition, impression, assumption, supposition, inference, interpretation. 3 she treated me with understanding: compassion, sympathy, pity, feeling, concern, consideration, kindness, sensitivity, decency, humanity, charity, goodwill, mercy, tolerance. ANTONYMS indifference. 4 we had a tacit understanding: agreement, arrangement, deal, bargain, settlement, pledge, pact, compact, contract, covenant, bond, meeting of minds. ▶adjective an understanding friend: compassionate, sympathetic, sensitive, considerate, tender, kind, thoughtful, tolerant, patient, forbearing, lenient, merciful, forgiving, humane; approachable, supportive, perceptive.

understate

understate verb let's not understate the importance of the coaching staff: play down, downplay, underrate, underplay, de-emphasize, trivialize, minimize, diminish, downgrade, brush aside, gloss over, put it mildly; informal soft-pedal, sell short. ANTONYMS exaggerate.

understatement

understatement noun calling this event unfortunate is a gross understatement: minimization, trivialization, euphemism; understatedness, restraint, reserve, underplaying, underemphasis; subtlety, delicacy; technical litotes, meiosis. ANTONYMS overstatement, exaggeration.

understood

understood adjective I thought these rules were understood: accepted, agreed-upon, acknowledged, assumed, established, unwritten, unspoken, taken for granted, tacit.

understudy

understudy noun Mark's understudy got better reviews than Mark himself did: stand-in, substitute, replacement, reserve, fill-in, locum, proxy, backup, relief, standby, stopgap; informal sub, pinch-hitter.

undertake

undertake verb are you ready to undertake this challenge? tackle, take on, assume, shoulder, handle, manage, deal with, be responsible for; engage in, take part in, go about, set about, get down to, come to grips with, embark on; attempt, try, endeavor; informal have a go at; formal essay.

undertaker

undertaker noun in those days, an epidemic of the flu would have the undertaker working around the clock: funeral director, mortician.

undertaking

undertaking noun 1 a risky undertaking: enterprise, venture, project, campaign, scheme, plan, operation, endeavor, effort, task, deed, activity, pursuit, exploit, business, affair, procedure; mission, quest. 2 make an undertaking to comply with the rules: pledge, agreement, promise, oath, covenant, vow, commitment, guarantee, assurance, contract.

undertone

undertone noun 1 he said something in an undertone: low voice, murmur, whisper, mutter. 2 the story's dark undertones: undercurrent, overtone, suggestion, nuance, vein, atmosphere, aura, tenor, flavor, tinge; vibrations.

undervalue

undervalue verb I didn't mean to undervalue your contributions: underrate, underestimate, play down, understate, underemphasize, diminish, minimize, downgrade, reduce, brush aside, gloss over, trivialize, underprice; informal sell short.

underwater

underwater adjective an underwater laboratory: submerged, immersed, sunken, subaqueous, subsurface; undersea, subsea, submarine.

underwear

underwear noun he always managed to leave half of his underwear at camp: undergarment (s ), underthings, underclothes, lingerie; foundation garment (s ); informal undies, drawers, skivvies.

underworld

underworld noun 1 Osiris, god of the underworld : the netherworld, the nether regions, hell, the abyss; eternal damnation; Sheol, Hades, Gehenna, Tophet; informal the other place; literary the pit. ANTONYMS heaven. 2 the city's violent underworld: criminal world, gangland; criminals, gangsters; informal mobsters.

underwrite

underwrite verb a local businesswoman has agreed to underwrite our charter: sponsor, support, back, insure, guarantee, indemnify, subsidize, pay for, finance, fund; informal foot the bill for, bankroll.

Oxford Thesaurus

under

under preposition 1 they found the baby under a bush: beneath, below, underneath, at the foot /bottom of. ANTONYMS above, over. 2 the present rent is just under £1200: less than, lower than, smaller than, not so much as, not as much as, below; informal shy of. ANTONYMS more than, over. 3 all branch managers are under the retail director: subordinate to, junior to, inferior to, secondary to, subservient to, reporting to, answerable to, responsible to, subject to; controlled by, at the mercy of, under the heel of. ANTONYMS above, over. 4 forty holiday homes are under construction: undergoing, in the process of, receiving. 5 half of the town was under water: flooded by, immersed in, submerged by, sunk in, engulfed by, inundated by, drowned by. ANTONYMS above. 6 the finances of the council are under pressure: subject to, liable to, bound by, controlled by, constrained by, under the control of, at the mercy of. ▶adverb coughing and spluttering she went under: down, downward, lower, below, underneath, beneath; underwater, to the bottom.

underclothes

underclothes plural noun underwear, undergarments, underclothing, lingerie, underlinen, underthings; informal undies, frillies, unmentionables; Brit. informal smalls.

undercover

undercover adjective they were arrested after a three-year undercover investigation: covert, secret, clandestine, private, confidential, conspiratorial, underground, surreptitious, furtive, cloak-and-dagger, hole-and-corner, hugger-mugger, back-alley, backstair, stealthy, closet; intelligence; hidden, concealed, masked, veiled, shrouded; informal hush-hush, sneaky. ANTONYMS open, overt.

undercurrent

undercurrent noun 1 beware the dangerous undercurrents in the cove: undertow, underflow, underswell, underdrift, understream, undertide, underrun; Nautical underset; rare underwork. 2 she sensed the undercurrent of despair in what he was saying: undertone, overtone, suggestion, connotation, implication, intimation, hint, nuance, trace, suspicion, whisper, murmur, touch, tinge; feeling, atmosphere, aura, tenor, echo, flavour, colouring, vein; vibrations; informal vibes; rare subcurrent.

undercut

undercut verb 1 English cloth manufacturers were able to undercut their continental rivals: charge less than, charge a lower price than, undersell, underbid. 2 the company denied that his authority was being undercut: undermine, weaken, impair, damage, sap, threaten, subvert, sabotage, ruin, disrupt, undo, destabilize, demolish, wreck, destroy, chip away.

underdog

underdog noun he particularly relished a political battle when he was the underdog: weaker party, victim, prey; loser, scapegoat; informal little fellow, little guy, fall guy, stooge.

underestimate

underestimate verb 1 official statistics tend to underestimate the actual volume of economic activity that occurs: set too low, underrate; miscalculate, misjudge, judge incorrectly, estimate wrongly, calculate wrongly, be wrong about, misconstrue, misread; err, be wide of the mark. ANTONYMS overestimate, exaggerate. 2 his political opponents managed to underestimate his capabilities: underrate, rate too low, undervalue, set little /no store by, not do justice to, do an injustice to, be wrong about, sell short, play down, understate; minimize, de-emphasize, underemphasize, diminish, downgrade, deflate, reduce, lessen, brush aside, gloss over, trivialize; hold cheap, shrug off, belittle; rare misprize, minify. ANTONYMS overestimate, overrate, exaggerate.

undergo

undergo verb she had to undergo a ferocious and lengthy cross-examination: go through, experience, engage in, undertake, live through, face, encounter, submit to, be subjected to, come in for, receive, sustain, endure, brave, bear, tolerate, stand, withstand, put up with, weather, support, brook, suffer, cope with; Scottish thole; Brit. informal wear.

underground

underground adjective 1 they drove up the ramp from the underground car park: subterranean, subterrestrial, below ground, buried, sunken, lower-level, basement; rare hypogean. ANTONYMS surface; overhead. 2 the underground organizations are designed to spread populist propaganda: clandestine, secret, surreptitious, covert, undercover, private, confidential, closet, hole-and-corner, cloak-and-dagger, hugger-mugger, back-alley, backstair, stealthy, conspiratorial, concealed, hidden, shrouded; sneaky, sly, underhand, shifty, furtive; resistance, subversive, guerrilla, mercenary, revolutionary, rebellious, dissident, insurgent, insurrectionary, renegade, mutinous; informal hush-hush. 3 the New York underground art scene: alternative, radical, revolutionary, unconventional, unorthodox, avant-garde, experimental, innovative, groundbreaking, pioneering, novel; subversive. ▶adverb 1 the insects spend years underground as larvae: below ground, below the surface, under the earth, in the earth. 2 the group went underground and issued calls for national resistance: into hiding, into secrecy, into seclusion, undercover, behind closed doors, out of sight. ▶noun 1 he took the underground back to his studio apartment: underground railway, metro; N. Amer. subway; Brit. informal tube. 2 the information had been furnished by the French underground: resistance movement, resistance, illegal opposition; partisans, guerrillas, freedom fighters; in France, historical Maquis.

undergrowth

undergrowth noun she groped her way through the thick undergrowth: shrubbery, vegetation, greenery, ground cover, underwood, copsewood, brushwood, brush, scrub, underscrub, cover, covert, thicket, copse, coppice, wood, jungle; bushes, plants, weeds, brambles; N. Amer. underbrush, underbush, shin-tangle; SE English frith; archaic rone; rare herbage, verdure.

underhand

underhand adjective he was accused of employing underhand tactics: deceitful, underhanded, dishonest, dishonourable, disreputable, unethical, unprincipled, immoral, unscrupulous, fraudulent, cheating, dubious, dirty, unfair, treacherous, duplicitous, double-dealing, below the belt, two-timing, two-faced, unsporting, unsportsmanlike; devious, calculating, artful, crafty, cunning, conniving, scheming, designing, sly, wily, guileful, tricky; criminal, illegal, unlawful, nefarious; secret, secretive, clandestine, surreptitious, sneaky, sneaking, furtive, covert, veiled, shrouded, cloak-and-dagger, hugger-mugger, hole-and-corner, hidden, back-alley, backstairs, under the table, conspiratorial; N. Amer. snide, snidey; informal crooked, shady, bent, low-down, murky, fishy; Brit. informal dodgy; Austral. /NZ informal shonky; S. African informal slim. ANTONYMS honest, fair, above board.

underline

underline verb 1 she underlined the important words: underscore, mark, pick out, emphasize, highlight; italicize. 2 the programme will underline the health benefits of white meat: emphasize, give emphasis to, stress, put /lay stress on, highlight, accentuate, accent, call /draw attention to, focus (attention ) on, zero in on, spotlight, throw into relief, give prominence to, bring to the fore, foreground, bring home, point up, play up, make a feature of; informal rub in. ANTONYMS play down, minimize.

underling

underling noun he dishes out orders to his underlings: subordinate, inferior, deputy, junior, assistant, adjutant, aide, minion, lackey, flunkey, menial, retainer, vassal, subject, serf, hireling, servant, henchman, myrmidon, right-hand man /woman, girl /man Friday, factotum, stooge; follower, camp follower, hanger-on, disciple; informal sidekick, dogsbody, skivvy; N. Amer. informal gofer, peon; archaic scullion, servitor. ANTONYMS boss, leader.

underlying

underlying adjective 1 he took issue with the underlying aims of the research: fundamental, basic, basal, primary, prime, first, cardinal, central, principal, chief, key, elementary, elemental, rudimentary, root, intrinsic, essential. ANTONYMS subordinate. 2 she spoke airily despite an underlying feeling of irritation: latent, lurking, repressed, suppressed, unrevealed, undisclosed, unexpressed, undivulged, concealed, hidden, veiled, masked, shrouded, under wraps. ANTONYMS overt.

undermine

undermine verb 1 the integrity of government statistics is being undermined: subvert, sabotage, threaten, weaken, compromise, diminish, reduce, impair, mar, spoil, ruin, impede, hinder, damage, hurt, injure, cripple, disable, enfeeble, sap, shake; whittle away, eat away; informal foul up, botch, put the kibosh on, drag through the mud; Brit. informal throw a spanner in the works of, queer the pitch of; N. Amer. informal throw a monkey wrench in the works of. ANTONYMS enhance, improve, strengthen. 2 we had no other way to break in but by undermining the building: tunnel under, dig under, burrow under, excavate, sap. 3 the damp had so undermined the structure that the wall fell down: erode, wear away, eat away at, chip away, undercut. ANTONYMS shore up, support.

underprivileged

underprivileged adjective the charity arranges holidays for underprivileged children: needy, deprived, in need, in want, in distress, disadvantaged, needful, poor, destitute, in reduced circumstances, in straitened circumstances, impoverished, poverty-stricken, penurious, indigent, as poor as a church mouse, unable to keep the wolf from the door; Brit. on the breadline, without two pennies /brass farthings to rub together; informal on one's uppers, on one's beam-ends; rare pauperized, beggared, necessitous. ANTONYMS privileged, wealthy, well off.

underrate

underrate verb most of us have a tendency to underrate our own skills: undervalue, underestimate, set little store by, rate too low, not do justice to, do an injustice to, be wrong about, sell short, play down, understate, minimize, de-emphasize, underemphasize, diminish, downgrade, reduce, lessen, brush aside, gloss over, trivialize; rare misprize, minify. ANTONYMS overrate, exaggerate.

undersized

undersized adjective a skinny, undersized 15 -year-old: underdeveloped, stunted, small, short, little, tiny, petite, small-boned, slight, compact, minuscule, miniature, mini, diminutive, dwarfish, elfin, bantam, runtish, puny; Scottish wee; informal pint-sized, half-pint, pocket-sized, knee-high to a grasshopper, baby, teeny, teeny-weeny, teensy-weensy, itsy-bitsy; rare homuncular, Lilliputian. ANTONYMS enormous, overgrown.

understand

understand verb 1 he couldn't understand anything we said to him: comprehend, apprehend, grasp, see, take in, perceive, discern, make out, puzzle out, recognize, keep up with, master, get to know, follow, fathom, get to the bottom of, penetrate, divine, interpret, unravel, decipher, see the light about, envisage; informal get the hang of, get the drift of, catch on to, latch on to, tumble to, crack, make head or tail of, figure out, dig, get, get one's head around, wrap one's mind around, see daylight, get the picture, get the message; Brit. informal twig, suss out, suss; N. Amer. informal savvy; rare cognize. ANTONYMS misunderstand, misinterpret. 2 Suzanne understood how hard her husband had worked: appreciate, recognize, realize, acknowledge, know, be aware of, be conscious of, be cognizant of, accept; commiserate with, feel compassionate towards, sympathize with, empathize with; informal take on board, be wise to. ANTONYMS ignore. 3 I understand that you wish to take legal action: believe, be led to believe, be given to understand, think, conclude, come to the conclusion, deduce, infer, draw the inference, assume, surmise, fancy; gather, take it, hear, hear tell, be informed, notice, see, learn, discover.

understandable

understandable adjective 1 he made me rewrite the book to make it understandable to non-scientists: comprehensible, easy to understand, intelligible, penetrable, fathomable, graspable, lucid, coherent, clear, crystal clear, explicit, unambiguous, transparent, plain, straightforward, digestible, user-friendly; perspicuous. ANTONYMS incomprehensible, unfathomable. 2 parents have a wholly understandable desire for their children to be happy: unsurprising, expected, to be expected, predictable, foreseeable, inevitable; reasonable, acceptable, logical, rational, normal, natural, par for the course, explicable, explainable, conceivable, imaginable, thinkable, plausible, tenable; justifiable, justified, admissible, allowable, accountable, defensible, excusable, pardonable, forgivable; informal on the cards. ANTONYMS surprising, mysterious.

understanding

understanding noun 1 the aim of the examination is to test basic understanding of the written language: comprehension, apprehension, grasp, grip, mastery, perception, discernment, appreciation, interpretation, cognizance, ken, conception, digestion, assimilation, absorption; knowledge, awareness, consciousness; insight into, familiarity with, acquaintance with; skill in, expertise in, proficiency in; informal know-how. ANTONYMS ignorance; misunderstanding. 2 a young man of brilliant understanding and great eloquence: intellect, intelligence, mind, brainpower, capability, insight, judgement, sense, reason, reasoning; intuition, shrewdness, sharpness, quickness, acumen, sagacity, perspicacity, wisdom, wit; thought, mentality; brains, powers of reasoning /intuition; French savoir faire; informal grey matter, nous, savvy, know-how. 3 it was my understanding that because of the war there would be no ceremonies: belief, perception, view, notion, idea, conclusion, conviction, feeling, opinion, intuition, impression, assumption, supposition, postulation, way of thinking, point of view; suspicion, sneaking suspicion, hunch, funny feeling. 4 he always treated me with great kindness and understanding: compassion, sympathy, pity, empathy, feeling, concern, considerateness, consideration, tenderness, tender-heartedness, kindness, kind-heartedness, sensitivity, insight, fellow feeling, brotherly love, neighbourliness, decency, humanity, humanitarianism, humaneness, charity, goodwill, mercy, mercifulness, gentleness, tolerance, lenience, leniency, warmth, warm-heartedness, affection, love. ANTONYMS ignorance, indifference. 5 we had a tacit understanding that we would keep it secret: agreement, gentleman's agreement, arrangement, deal, bargain, settlement, pledge, promise, pact, compact, contract, concord, treaty, covenant, bond. ▶adjective he's a very good and understanding friend: compassionate, sympathetic, sensitive, considerate, tender, kind, kindly, kind-hearted, thoughtful, tolerant, patient, forbearing, lenient, merciful, forgiving, humane, human, good-natured, approachable, supportive, reassuring; tactful, diplomatic, perceptive, subtle, prudent.

understate

understate verb we have been guilty of understating the size of the problem: play down, downplay, make light of, underrate, rate too low, not do justice to, do an injustice to, underplay, de-emphasize, underemphasize, trivialize, minimize, diminish, downgrade, reduce, lessen, brush aside, gloss over, shrug off; informal soft-pedal, sell short; rare misprize, minify. ANTONYMS overstate, exaggerate, emphasize.

understatement

understatement noun to say I am delighted is an understatement | he spoke with a delightful degree of understatement: minimization, trivialization, euphemism; understatedness, restraint, reserve, underplaying, underemphasis; subtlety, delicacy; technical litotes, meiosis. ANTONYMS overstatement, exaggeration.

understudy

understudy noun he muffed his lines and was often replaced by an understudy: stand-in, substitute, replacement, reserve, fill-in, locum, proxy, backup, relief, standby, supply, surrogate, stopgap, second, alternative, ancillary; Latin locum tenens; informal sub; N. Amer. informal pinch-hitter.

undertake

undertake verb the team were asked to undertake a further project: tackle, take on, take on oneself, take up, accept, shoulder, handle, assume, manage, deal with, take responsibility for, be responsible for; engage in, become involved in, take part in, participate in, devote oneself to, concentrate on, address oneself to, turn one's hand to, go about, set about, approach, get down to, get to grips with; launch into, enter on, begin, start, embark on, venture on; attempt, try, endeavour; informal get cracking on, have a crack /go /shot /stab at, give something a whirl; formal commence, essay. ANTONYMS neglect, forgo.

undertaker

undertaker noun the undertaker brought the coffin to our house: funeral director; N. Amer. mortician; archaic upholder, blackmaster, cold cook, death-hunter; rare thanatologist.

undertaking

undertaking noun 1 why did you get involved in such a risky undertaking? enterprise, venture, project, campaign, scheme, plan, operation, endeavour, effort, task, assignment, charge, activity, pursuit, exploit, job, business, affair, procedure, proceeding, process, transaction; mission, quest, exploration, expedition. 2 all students shall sign an undertaking to comply with the regulations of the university: pledge, agreement, promise, oath, covenant, vow, word, word of honour, solemn word, bond, commitment, guarantee, assurance, warrant, contract, compact.

undertone

undertone noun 1 he said something in an undertone to the woman at his side: low voice, murmur, whisper, mutter; low tones, hushed tones. ANTONYMS shout. 2 she was deeply affected by the story's dark undertones: undercurrent, hint, overtone, suggestion; connotation, nuance, intimation, inkling, insinuation, implication, trace, suspicion, tinge, touch, vein, breath, whiff, whisper, glimmer, atmosphere, aura, tenor, flavour, colouring, shade, smack; rare subcurrent.

undervalue

undervalue verb the enthusiasm and initiative of youth was often undervalued by the older generation: underrate, set little store by, rate too low, think too little of, underestimate, not do justice to, do an injustice to, play down, understate, underemphasize, de-emphasize, diminish, minimize, downgrade, reduce, lessen, brush aside, gloss over, shrug off, trivialize; belittle, hold cheap; informal sell short; rare misprize, minify. ANTONYMS overrate.

underwater

underwater adjective there are some underwater caves nearby: undersea, submarine, sub-aquatic, subaqueous; submerged, immersed, sunken.

underworld

underworld noun 1 vagrants were forced into the violent underworld of Southwark: criminal world, world of crime, organized crime; criminals, gangsters; informal gangland, mob, mobsters. 2 Osiris, the god of the underworld: the netherworld, the land /abode of the dead, the infernal regions, the nether regions, hell, the abyss; the abode of the damned, eternal damnation, eternal punishment, perdition; Biblical Gehenna, Tophet, Abaddon; Judaism Sheol; Greek Mythology Hades, Tartarus, Acheron; Roman Mythology Avernus; Scandinavian Mythology Niflheim; Brit. the other place; literary the pit, the shades; archaic the lower world. ANTONYMS heaven, paradise. WORD LINKS underworld Plutonic relating to the underworld Word Links sections supply words that are related to the headword but do not normally appear in a thesaurus because they are not actual synonyms.

underwrite

underwrite verb the London-based company which underwrote the deal has crashed: sponsor, support, back, insure, indemnify, provide security for, take the risk for, subsidize, contribute to, pay for, provide capital for, finance, fund; sanction, agree to, approve, confirm, ratify, validate, authenticate, certify, seal, guarantee, warrant, accredit; informal foot the bill for, pick up the tab for; N. Amer. informal bankroll.

Duden Dictionary

undercover

un der co ver Adjektiv |ˈandɐkavɐ |Adverb englisch undercover = geheim, eigentlich = in Deckung (gegangen ), im Schutz (von ), zu: cover = Schutz, Deckung, zu: to cover, Cover geheim, verdeckt, im Verborgenen; seine wahre Identität nicht zu erkennen gebend etwas undercover überprüfen | undercover agieren, arbeiten, ermitteln | undercover in der Szene leben

Undercoverage

Un der co ve rage Substantiv, feminin , die |ʌndəˈkʌvərɪdʒ |die Undercoverage; Genitiv: der Undercoverage englisch 1 nicht ausreichende Deckung versicherter Gegenstände 2 unangemessene Berichterstattung über ein [bedeutendes ] Ereignis

Undercoveragent

Un der co ver agent Substantiv, maskulin Polizeiwesen , der |Undercoveragent |englisch undercover agent = Geheimagent Polizist o. Ä., der verdeckt, in eine zu observierende Gruppe oder ein entsprechendes Milieu eingeschleust, ermittelt

Undercoveragentin

Un der co ver agen tin Substantiv, feminin , die weibliche Form zu Undercoveragent

Underdog

Un der dog Substantiv, maskulin bildungssprachlich , der |ˈandɐdɔg |der Underdog; Genitiv: des Underdogs, Plural: die Underdogs englisch underdog, aus: under = unter und dog = Hund [sozial ] Benachteiligter, Schwächerer; jemand, der einem anderen unterlegen ist

underdressed

un der dressed Adjektiv bildungssprachlich |ˈandɐdrɛst |englisch underdressed, zu: under = unter und to dress = anziehen [für einen bestimmten Anlass ] zu schlecht, nachlässig angezogen, gekleidet

Underflow

Un der flow Substantiv, maskulin Fachsprache , der |ˈandɐfloʊ |der Underflow; Genitiv: des Underflows, Plural: die Underflows englisch underflow = Unterströmung, eigentlich = das Darunterfließen (bei einer elektronischen Rechenanlage ) das Auftreten eines Zahlenwertes, der kleiner als die vom Rechner darzustellende kleinste Zahl ist

Underground

Un der ground Substantiv, maskulin bildungssprachlich , der |ˈandɐgraʊnd |der Underground; Genitiv: des Underground [s ] englisch underground, aus: under = unter und ground = Boden, Grund 1 gesellschaftlicher Bereich außerhalb der etablierten Gesellschaft, außerhalb der Legalität; Untergrund 4a 2 künstlerische Bewegung, Richtung, die gegen das etablierte Kulturleben gerichtet ist 3 Undergroundmusik

Undergroundfilm

Un der ground film Substantiv, maskulin , der vgl. Undergroundmusik

Undergroundmusik

Un der ground mu sik Substantiv, feminin , die ohne Plural dem Underground 2 entstammende Musik

Underlying

Un der ly ing Substantiv, Neutrum Börsenwesen , das |ˈʌndəlaɪɪŋ |das Underlying; Genitiv: des Underlyings, Plural: die Underlyings englisch ; »das Zugrundeliegen «Basiswert im Optionsgeschäft

Understatement

Un der state ment Substantiv, Neutrum bildungssprachlich , das |ˈʌndəˈsteɪtmənt andɐˈsteɪtmɛnt |das Understatement; Genitiv: des Understatements, Plural: die Understatements englisch understatement, aus: under = unter, unterhalb von und statement = Behauptung, Aussage, Erklärung [bewusste ] Untertreibung

Underwear

Un der wear Substantiv, feminin , die |ˈandɐwɛːɐ̯ |die Underwear; Genitiv: der Underwear Unterwäsche modische Underwear für Damen und Herren | sie trägt nur die Underwear von XY

Underwriter

Un der wri ter Substantiv, maskulin , der |ˈandɐraɪtɐ |der Underwriter; Genitiv: des Underwriters, Plural: die Underwriter englisch underwriter, eigentlich = Unterzeichner, zu: to underwrite = unterzeichnen 1 Bankwesen Kreditinstitut, das bei einer Emission 1a einen bestimmten Teilbetrag übernimmt 2 Versicherungswesen Mitarbeiter einer Versicherungsgesellschaft, der die Risiken für sie zeichnet 3b

French Dictionary

underground

underground FORME FAUTIVE Anglicisme pour marginal, clandestin.

Spanish Dictionary

underground

underground adjetivo /nombre masculino [movimiento, obra ] Que tiene un carácter contestatario, crítico o experimental y está al margen de los circuitos comerciales habituales :grupos de rock underground; películas underground; algunos de estos músicos underground tocaban en bandas .Se pronuncia aproximadamente ‘andergráun ’.

Sanseido Wisdom Dictionary

under

un der /ʌ́ndə r /〖「(物の )下に」＞「…の支配のもとに」＞「…の下位に, 劣った」〗前置詞【下方に】1 (↔over )a. …の (真 )下に [で, を ], 〈山〉のふもとに ; …の下へ [を ]〈移動する〉▸ A cat was sleeping under the table .ネコがテーブルの下で寝ていた ▸ pull the suitcase out from under one's bed ベッドの下からスーツケースを引っぱり出す (!前に前置詞を伴っていることに注意 ) ▸ picnic under the cherry blossoms 桜の花の下で食べる ▸ look at [study, examine ] a sample under a microscope 顕微鏡で標本を見る [研究する, 調査する ]▸ Would you like to come under this umbrella? このかさにお入りになりませんか (≒We can share this umbrella. ) (!通例 ╳… enter [get into ] this umbrella? としない ) ▸ carry a dictionary under one's arm 小脇に辞書を抱えてゆく ▸ take out a map from under the counter カウンターの下から地図を取り出す ▸ rinse the beans under cold running water 冷たい流水で豆をゆすぐ ▸ go under [╳below ] a bridge 橋をくぐる b. 〈覆う物水面など〉の下 [中 ]に [へ, を ], に覆われて, 隠れて ▸ Many passengers were asleep under their blankets .多くの乗客は毛布をかぶって寝ていた ▸ He doesn't wear anything under his shirt .彼はシャツの下に何も着ない ▸ swim [be, stay ] under water 水に潜って泳ぐ [潜っている ] (!be in the water (水の中にいる )では頭が水面から出ている場合もある ) .類義 underとbelow, underneath, beneath under (↔over ) は接触非接触にかかわらず, 何かに覆われたり, 隠れたり, 層をなしたりして下の位置にあることをいうが, その下を何かが通過する場合などは他の3語より好まれる. below (↔above ) は他の3語と違って非接触のものの上下関係や, 同じ物体の上下の位置関係をいうが, その下の通過に言及するときは不適. underneath はunderの代わりに用いられることがあるが, 覆われていることや隠れていることを強調する語. beneath は｟やや古文｠で, 非接触の場合に好まれる .【未満】2 〈数量年齢価格など〉に満たない , 未満で (↔over )▸ children under 6 [the age of 6, age 6 ]≒children under 6 years old [of age ]≒｟英書｠children aged under 6 6歳未満の子供 (!6歳の子供は入らない ) ▸ in under five minutes 5分 (も )たたないうちに (≒in less than five minutes )▸ Accepts a full charge in just under 3 hours .(カタログで )わずか3時間未満でフル充電 ▸ He is six under par .〘ゴルフ〙彼はシックスアンダーだ【影響下】3 〖最中〗〈建設攻撃治療など〉の最中で , …を受けて ▸ The cause is now under investigation by the FBI .原因は現在FBIが調査中だ ▸ Another hotel is under construction near the theme park .テーマパークの近くにまたひとつホテルが建設中だ ▸ a question under discussion 討議中の問題 ▸ a drug under development 開発中の薬 ▸ be under treatment for cancer 癌（がん）の治療を受けている 4 〖状況影響〗〈ある状況状態影響など〉のもとに [で ], …の中で ▸ The military leaders are under pressure from the UN to stop the fighting .軍の幹部は戦闘をやめるよう国連からの圧力を受けている ▸ have everything under control すべてを掌握している ▸ You shouldn't accept a lift in a stranger's car under any circumstances. ≒｟かたく｠Under no circumstances should you [╳you should ] accept a lift in a stranger's car .どんな状況でも知らない人の車に乗せてもらってはいけない (!後者は強意的 ) ▸ under normal [ideal ] conditions 通常の [理想的な ]状況では ▸ He came under Rose's spell .彼はローズの魅力のとりこになった ▸ collapse under the weight of rocks 岩の重みで崩れる ▸ drive under the influence of alcohol 酒に酔って (車を )運転する ▸ I was under the impression that you didn't like cake .(実はそうではないが )てっきりケーキはお嫌いかと思っていました ▸ go bankrupt under a huge debt 膨大な借金を抱えて倒産する 5 〖法律合意〗〈法律合意契約など〉に基づいて , …によって ▸ Selling alcohol to minors is prohibited under the law .未成年者に酒類を販売することは法律で禁じられている ▸ They work under two-year contracts .彼らは2年 (間の )契約で働いている ▸ Under (the terms of ) the agreement, the prices were cut .協定 (の条項 )に基づいて価格は削減された 6 a. 〖支配制度〗〈人政府制度など〉のもとで (は ), もとに ▸ the government under Bush ブッシュ氏率いる政府 ▸ Under the new system, customers' requests are put through a worldwide computer network .新しいシステムでは, 顧客の要望が世界に広がるコンピュータネットワークを通じて入ってくる ▸ Hong Kong under Chinese rule 中国統治下の香港 b. 〖指揮指導〗〈会社などの上司指導者など〉のもとで [に ]▸ A dozen engineers work under Roger .12人のエンジニアがロジャーのもとで働いている (!｟コーパス｠特に指揮指導を意識する場合を除いてwork for …の方が好まれる ) ▸ study American history under Dr. Scott スコット博士のもとアメリカ史を研究する【その他】7 〖分類〗〈物人などが〉〈ある範疇（ちゆう）など〉のもとに , に〈属するなど〉▸ If you're looking for a Japanese restaurant, see the J column under the “Restaurants & Bars ” section .和風レストランを探すときには, 「レストランと居酒屋」の部のJの欄をご覧ください ▸ Whales are classified under mammals .クジラは哺（ほ）乳類に分類される 8 〖名前で〗〈…の名前旗 (印 )〉のもとで [に ]▸ publish a book under the name of the institute 研究所の名前で本を出版する ▸ The company now makes cars under the Ford name .その会社は現在フォード (社 )の名前で車を製造している ▸ fight under a British flag 英国旗のもとで戦う副詞比較なし 1 下に [へ ], (覆う物水面などの )中に [へ ] (!通例go, pull, comeなどの動詞と共に用いられる ) ▸ go under (水中に )沈む [下の方へ行く, 降りて行く ](→go 1 成句 )2 〖A and [or ] ～〗(数量年齢などの点で )Aまたはそれ未満, A以下 ▸ children 6 and under 6歳以下の子供 3 〈麻酔が〉効いて, (麻酔で )意識を失って ▸ The doctor put him under .医者は彼を麻酔で眠らせた .形容詞比較なし 1 下の ; 下位の ; 不足した ▸ the under jaw 下あご 2 〖be ～〗(麻酔などの )作用を受けて ; 酒に酔って .

under-

under- /ʌ̀ndə r , -́- /接頭辞〖名詞動詞形容詞とその派生語を作る〗1 (程度範囲数量が )不十分に [な ], 不完全な ▸ under developed 発育が不十分の ▸ under estimate …を過小評価する 2 (場所位置が )下の [に ], 内部の, (…の )下を進む ▸ under score …に下線を引く 3 (階級地位年齢が )下の, 従属した ▸ under graduate 学部生

underachieve

ù nder ach í eve 動詞自動詞【勉強仕事で】能力が発揮できていない, «…の教科で » (平均より )成績が悪い «in » .～ment 名詞 ù nder ach í ev er 名詞

underact

ù nder á ct /-rǽkt /動詞他動詞自動詞 (…を )不十分 [控えめ ]に演じる .

underage

ù nder á ge 形容詞〖通例名詞の前で〗未成年 (者 )の [による ]; 法的に基準年齢に達していない ▸ underage drinking [smoking ]未成年者の飲酒 [喫煙 ]

underarm

ú nder à rm 形容詞副詞 1 〖名詞の前で〗腋（わき）の下の .2 下手投げで [の ](｟米｠underhand ).名詞 C 〖通例～s 〗腋の下 (armpit ).

underbelly

ú nder b è lly 名詞複 -lies C 〖単数形で〗1 ｟文｠(計画などの )弱点 ; 急所, 泣きどころ ; (社会などの )恥部 .2 (動物車の )下 (腹 )部 .

underbid

ù nder b í d 動詞 →bid 他動詞 1 〈人〉より安い値を付ける .2 〈持ち札〉より控えめにビッドする [賭（か）ける ].

underbrush

ú nder br ù sh 名詞 U ｟主に米｠(森の中の )下草, 下ばえ (｟英｠undergrowth ).

undercapitalize

ù nder c á pitalize 動詞他動詞〖通例 be ～d 〗〈企業などが〉資本を十分につぎ込まれていない .

undercarriage

ú nder c à rriage 名詞 C ｟主に英｠(飛行機の )離着陸装置 (｟米｠landing gear ); (自動車の )車台 .

undercharge

ù nder ch á rge 動詞他動詞自動詞 1 (〈人〉に )値段より少なく請求する .2 (〈電池〉に )十分に充電しない ; (〈鉄砲〉に )十分に装填（てん）しない .

underclass

ú nder cl à ss 名詞 C (社会の )最下層階級 .

underclassman

ù nder cl á ss man 名詞複 -men C ｟米｠下級生〘大学高校の1 2年生〙 (!｟男女共用｠具体的にfirst -year student, fresher (1年生 ), sophomore (2年生 )などとした方がよい ) .

underclothes

ú nder cl ò thes 名詞〖複数扱い〗下着, 肌着 .

underclothing

ú nder cl ò thing 名詞 U 下着, 肌着 .

undercoat

ú nder c ò at 名詞 C 下塗り ; 下塗り用塗料 [ペンキ ].

undercount

ú nder c ò unt 動詞他動詞 …を数え落とす, 実際より少なく数える .名詞 C 実際より少なく数えること .

undercover

ù nder c ó ver 形容詞秘密の [で行われた ]; スパイ活動をする ▸ an undercover agent 諜（ちよう）報員

undercurrent

ú nder c ù rrent 名詞 C 1 (水流空気などの )底流, 下層流 .2 (表面に現れない )底流, 暗流 .

undercut

ù nder c ú t 動詞 →cut 他動詞 1 〈物〉の下を切り取る [えぐる ].2 …より安く売る ; 安い賃金で働く .3 …の不利に働く ; じゃまをする .4 〘スポーツ〙〈ボール〉をアンダーハンドでカットする .名詞 /-́--̀ /1 C 下を切り取ること ; その部分 .2 C ｟米｠(木を切り倒す側の )切り込み .3 C 〘スポーツ〙アンダーカット .4 U ｟英｠(牛の )ヒレ肉 (tenderloin ).

underdeveloped

ù nder dev é loped /-t /形容詞 1 発達が不十分の, 発育不全の .2 〈国地域が〉低開発の (!今ではdeveloping (開発途上の )を使うのが普通 ) ▸ an underdeveloped nation 低開発国 3 〘写〙現像不足の .

underdog

ú nder d ò g 名詞 C 1 (試合などで )勝ち目のない人 .2 〖the ～〗(生存競争などの )敗北者 ; 犠牲者 .3 負け犬 (↔top dog ).

underdone

ù nder d ó ne 形容詞〈肉などが〉生焼け [煮え ]の .

underdressed

ù nder dr é ssed /-t /形容詞簡単 [略式 ]すぎる服装をした .

underemployed

ù nder empl ó yed 形容詞不完全就業の〘労働者が技術や能力を十分に発揮できない雇用形態〙.

underestimate

ù nder é stimate 動詞他動詞 …を安く見積る, 過小評価する, みくびる .名詞 C 安い見積り ; 過小評価 .ù n der è s ti m á tion 名詞

underexpose

ù nder exp ó se /-d (ə )rɪks -/動詞他動詞〘写〙〈フィルム〉を露出不足にする .

underfed

ù nder f é d 形容詞食べ物が十分に与えられていない .

underfinanced

ù nder fin á nced /-t /形容詞財源不足の, 十分に資金がない .

underfoot

ù nder f ó ot 副詞足の下で [に ], 足元に ▸ crush a cigarette underfoot タバコを足で踏み消す

underfund

ù nder f ú nd 動詞他動詞〖通例 be ～ed 〗〈事業などが〉十分資金供給されていない .

undergarment

ú nder g à rment 名詞 C ｟やや古｠〖通例～s 〗下着, 肌着 (underwear, underclothes ).

undergo

un der go /ʌ̀ndə r ɡóʊ /〖under (下を )go 1 (行く )〗動詞～es /-z /; -went /-wént /; ～ne /-ɡɔ́ːn, -ɡɑ́n |-ɡɔ́n /; ～ing 他動詞 1 〈つらいこと変化など〉を経験する , 経る (go through ) (!受け身にしない ) ▸ undergo a great change 大きな変化を経験する 2 〈手術検査訓練など〉を受ける ▸ undergo a DNA test [physical examination ]DNA検査 [身体検査 ]を受ける 3 〈困難など〉に遭う, …を被る ; 耐え忍ぶ ▸ undergo a severe trial 厳しい試練に遭う

undergrad

ú nder gr à d 名詞＝undergraduate .

undergraduate

un der grad u ate /ʌ̀ndə r ɡrǽdʒuət , ｟英｠でまた -́--̀ --/〖under (下に )graduate (大学院生 )〗名詞複～s /-ts /C 大学生, 学部在学生 (!卒業生大学院生と区別; →graduate ) .形容詞学部在学生の ▸ one's undergraduate years 学生時代 .

underground

un der ground /ʌ̀ndə r ɡráʊnd, -́--̀ /〖under (下に )ground 1 (土地 )〗形容詞比較なし〖通例名詞の前で〗1 地下の , 地下にある ▸ an underground parking lot ｟米｠[car park ｟英｠]地下駐車場 ▸ an underground tunnel 地下トンネル ▸ underground water 地下水 2 地下組織の, 非合法の, 秘密の〈政治活動組織など〉▸ an underground movement [activist ]地下活動 [活動家 ]▸ underground economy 地下経済〘脱税などで公的に把握されない経済活動〙3 前衛的な, 実験的な, アングラの〈芸術 (家 )など〉▸ underground music 前衛音楽 ▸ an underground paper アングラ新聞副詞比較なし 1 地下に [で ]▸ microorganisms living deep underground 地中深くに住む微生物 2 地下に隠れて, 秘密裏に ▸ go underground 地下活動を始める, 潜伏する名詞 /-́--̀ /複～s /-z /1 C ｟英｠〖通例 the ～〗地下鉄 (｟米｠subway ); 〖しばしばthe U- 〗(ロンドンの )地下鉄 (London Underground; ｟くだけて｠tube )▸ go by [on the ] underground 地下鉄で行く ▸ an underground station 地下鉄駅 2 U 地下 ;C 地下のスペース, 地下道 .3 C 〖通例 the ～; 集合的に; 単複両扱い〗地下組織, 地下活動 .4 C 〖通例 the ～; 集合的に; 単複両扱い〗前衛運動, 前衛グループ, アングラ .～̀ r á ilroad 1 地下鉄 .2 〖the U- R- 〗〘米史〙(南北戦争前の )奴隷逃亡支援組織 .～́ r à ilway ｟英｠地下鉄 .

undergrowth

ú nder gr ò wth 名詞 U 1 ｟英｠下ばえ (｟米｠underbrush ), やぶ .2 (動物の長い毛の下の )短毛 .3 発育不全 .

underhand

ú nder h à nd 形容詞｟否定的に｠不正な ; 秘密の .副詞 /-̀--́ /比較なし｟米｠〘スポーツ〙下手投げで, アンダースローの (｟英｠underarm )(↔overhand ).

underhanded

ù nder h á nd ed /-ɪd /形容詞＝underhand .～ly 副詞不正に ; 秘密に .～ness 名詞 U 不正 ; 秘密 .

underlaid

ù nder l á id 動詞 underlay 2 の過去形過去分詞 .

underlain

ù nder l á in 動詞 underlieの過去分詞 .

underlay

ù nder l á y 1 動詞 underlieの過去形 .

underlay

ú nder l à y 2 名詞複～s C U カーペットの下敷き〘保温防音用〙.動詞 /-̀--́ /→lay 1 他動詞 «…を » …の下に置く [敷く ] «with » .

underlie

un der lie /ʌ̀ndə r láɪ /動詞 →lie 1 他動詞 1 …の下にある [横たわる ].2 …の基礎となる, 土台になる ▸ Mathematics underlies many other sciences .数学はほかの多くの学問の基礎となっている 3 …の裏にある .4 〘経〙〈担保などが〉…に優先する .

underline

un der line /ʌ̀ndə r láɪn /〖under (下に )line 1 (線を引く )〗動詞～s /-z /; ～d /-d /; -lining 他動詞 1 〈語句など〉に下線を引く (!強調イタリック体の指示などで ) ▸ an underlined word 下線の語 2 …を強調する ; 明らかに示す ; 〖～ that節 /wh節〗…ということ […であるか ]を強調する ▸ underline the importance of the peaceful settlement ≒underline how important the peaceful settlement is 平和的解決の重要性を強調する名詞 /ʌ́ndə r làɪn C /1 下線, アンダーライン .2 図版 [挿絵 ]の下の説明 .

underling

un der ling /ʌ́ndə r lɪŋ /名詞 C ｟けなして｠下っ端, 下役 .

underlying

ù nder l ý ing 形容詞 1 下にある [横たわる ]▸ the underlying strata その下にある地層 2 基礎をなす, 基本的な ▸ the underlying principle 基本的な原則 3 隠された ; 底流にある .4 〘経〙〈請求権などが〉優先する .

undermanned

ù nder m á nned 形容詞〈工場などが〉人手 [人員 ]不足の .

undermentioned

ù nder m é ntioned 形容詞｟英｠下記の, 次に述べる .

undermine

under mine /ʌ̀ndə r máɪn /動詞～s /-z /; ～d /-d /; -mining 他動詞 1 〈権威名声主張など〉を徐々に [ひそかに ]傷つける, 弱める (→weaken )▸ undermine A's authority A 〈人〉の権威をひそかに傷つける 2 …を浸食する, …の土台を削り取る ▸ The sea is undermining the cliffs of the coast .海が海岸のがけの根元を侵食している 3 〈健康環境など〉を次第に害する, 損なう .4 …の下を掘る, …に坑道を掘る .

underneath

un der neath /ʌ̀ndə r níːθ , ｟英｠でまた -́--̀ /前置詞 1 …の (真 )下に [の, を ], … の下側 [下面 ]を (beneath )(→under 類義 )▸ bury a can of coins underneath the house 家の下に小銭入りの缶を埋める ▸ the river flowing underneath the bridge 橋の真下を流れている川 2 〈態度性格感情外観など〉の裏に, …に隠れて ▸ Underneath his aggressive attitude, Mike was very shy .積極的な態度の裏で, マイクはとても恥ずかしがり屋だった 3 …の支配下に .副詞比較なし下 [真下 ]に [を ], 下側 [下面 ]に [を ]; (表面上は違うが )実は, 内面は .形容詞下面の, 底面の .名詞｟英くだけて｠〖単数形で; 通例the ～〗下部, 下側, 底面 .

undernourished

ù nder n ó urished /-t /形容詞栄養不良の .

undernourishment

ù nder n ó urishment 名詞 U 栄養不良 .

underpaid

ù nder p á id 形容詞〈人が〉 (仕事 )相応の給料をもらっていない .動詞 underpayの過去形過去分詞 .

underpants

ú nder p à nts 名詞〖複数扱い〗ズボン下 ; (主に男性用下着の )パンツ .

underpass

ú nder p à ss 名詞 C ガード下通路 ; アンダーパス, 低路交差 .

underpay

ù nder p á y 動詞 →pay 他動詞〈人〉に給料 [賃金 ]を十分払わない .

underperform

ù nder perf ó rm 動詞他動詞自動詞 (…を )ほかのもの [平均, 期待 ]ほどうまくやらない ; (…より )出来が悪い .

underpin

ù nder p í n 動詞 →pin 他動詞 1 〈壁など〉を下から支える .2 〈議論など〉を支持する ; 実証する .

underpinning

ú nder p ì nning 名詞 1 C 〖しばしば～s 〗(正当化する )根拠, 基盤 .2 U C (建物の )土台 .3 ｟米｠〖～s 〗(女性の )下着 .

underplay

ù nder pl á y 動詞 (→play )他動詞｟主に英｠…を控えめに示す, 重要視させない (play A down ).

underpopulated

ù nder p ó pulat ed /-ɪd /形容詞〈町村が〉過疎の, 人口が少ない (↔overpopulated ).

underprivileged

ù nder pr í vileged 形容詞〖通例名詞の前で〗(社会的経済的に )恵まれない〘poorの婉曲語〙; 〖the ～; 名詞的に; 集合的に〗(経済的に )恵まれない人々 (!複数扱い ) .

underrate

ù nder r á te 動詞他動詞 …を安く見積もる ; 低く評価する ; 見くびる, 軽視する (↔overrate ).

underrepresented

ù nder repres é nt ed /-ɪd /形容詞不十分に表示 [代表 ]された .

underscore

ù nder sc ó re 動詞他動詞｟主に米｠1 …に下線を引く (｟主に英｠underline ).2 …を強調する (｟主に英｠underline ).名詞 /-́--̀ /C 下線, アンダーライン .

undersea

ù nder s é a -s é as 形容詞〖名詞の前で〗副詞海中 [底 ]の [で ].

undersecretary

ù nder s é cretary 名詞複 -ies C 次官 (!米政府の公式官名はunder secretaryと2語; 英政府では1語 ) ▸ a parliamentary [permanent ] undersecretary ｟英｠政務 [事務 ]次官

undersell

ù nder s é ll 動詞 →sell 他動詞〈他店〉より安く売る ; …より控えめに宣伝する .

underserved

ù nder s é rved 形容詞サービスが行き届いていない .

undersexed

ù nder s é xed /-t /形容詞性欲不足の, 性的関心の弱い .

undershirt

ú nder sh ì rt 名詞 C ｟米｠下着, 肌着 (｟英｠vest ).

undershoot

ù nder sh ó ot 動詞 →shoot 他動詞〘空〙〈滑走路〉の手前で着陸する ; 〈的〉まで達しない .

undershorts

ú nder sh ò rts 名詞〖複数扱い〗(男性用 )パンツ .

underside

ú nder s ì de 名詞 C 〖しばしばthe ～〗下 [底 ]面, 下側 .

undersigned

ù nder s í gned 形容詞 (文書手紙の末尾に )署名した ; ｟かたく｠〖the ～; 名詞的に; 集合的に〗署名者一同 (!単複両扱い ) .

undersized

ù nder s í zed -s í ze 形容詞比較なし〖名詞の前で〗普通より小さい, 小柄の ; 狭い (↔oversize (d )).

understaffed

ù nder st á ffed /-t /形容詞〖名詞の前で〗人員 [人手 ]不足の .

understand

un der stand /ʌ̀ndə r stǽnd / (! 強勢は第3音節 ) 〖「under (下 [間 ]に )stand (立つ )」＞「理解する」〗(名 )understanding (! 進行形にしない ) 動詞～s /-dz /; -stood /-stʊ́d /; ～ing 他動詞 1 〈人が〉〈人 (の言うこと )事物 (の意味 )〉を理解する , …の意味がわかる ; 〖understand wh節句〗…かを理解する (!「理解する」の意味で最も一般的な語; →comprehend , realize ) ▸ She understands Korean .彼女は韓国語がわかる ▸ understand the question [warning label ]その質問 [警告ラベル ]の意味がわかる ▸ Do you understand what I'm saying? ｟話｠私の言ってることがわかりますか (!相手に確認する時に ) ▸ If I understand you correctly, …私があなたのおっしゃることをきちんとわかっているとすれば, …2 〈人が〉〈物事 (の働き理由など )〉を理解している , …の知識がある , …を知っている ;〖understand wh節句 /that節〗…かを [だと ]知っている ;〖(can ) understand A ('s ) doing 〗A 〈人〉が …する理由がわかる ▸ understand the cause of the fire 火事の原因がわかる ▸ when he was old enough to understand things 彼に物心がついたころ ▸ Janet can't understand him [｟かたく｠ his ] studying abroad .ジャネットは彼がなぜ留学するのかわからない ▸ He doesn't fully understand the importance of education .彼は教育の大切さを十分理解していない 3 〈人人の性格 [気持ち ]など〉がわかっている , …を親身になって理解する ;〖understand wh節 /that節〗…かを [だと ]わかっている ▸ The teacher doesn't understand young people at all .あの先生は若者の気持ちがちっともわかっていない ▸ I quite understand how he feels .僕には彼の気持ちが本当によくわかる ▸ We understand that you have to leave office. ≒We understand you having to leave office .あなたが退社しなくてはならないなんて, 心中をお察しします 4 ｟かたく｠〖understand that節 /A to do 〗〈人が〉…だ [A 〈人事〉が …する ]と思う , 了解する, 解釈する ; … だと聞いている (!that節は｟かたい話｠に多い; to doの動詞は通例be, mean, sayなど ) ▸ I understand that you have a complaint .あなたは文句がおありなのだということですね ▸ He understood my silence to mean [as ]‘yes ’.彼は私が黙っているのを「了解」だと解釈した ▸ It is understood that people can play tricks on someone on April 1 .4月1日にはだれかにいたずらをしてもいいとされている ▸ “Dave left hospital last week. ” “So I understand .”「デイヴは先週退院しましたよ」「そう聞いています」(╳I understand so. としない )▸ The murdered man is understood to be the owner of the car .殺された男はその車の所有者であることがわかっている 5 〖通例be understood 〗〈省略された言葉が〉頭の中で補われる, 補って解釈される ▸ In “She rides well, ” the object, “a horse ”, is understood .「上手に馬に乗る」では, 「馬」という目的語を補って理解される自動詞 1 〈人が〉 «…について » (意味を )理解する , わかる «about » ; 理解力がある ; 了解する ▸ I don't understand . Could you speak more slowly? わかりません . もっとゆっくりしゃべってもらえますか ▸ You'll understand when you're older .大きくなったらわかりますよ 2 〈人が〉 (働き理由などを )理解している, 知識を持っている, 知っている ▸ A flat tire? Now I understand .パンク? なるほどそういうことか 3 〈人が〉 (人の性格感情などを )知っている, 理解を示す ▸ If you don't want to go today, tell him so. I'm sure he'll understand .今日行きたくないなら彼にそう言ったら . 彼ならきっとわかってくれるわ Do y ò u underst á nd (me )?＝Is th à t underst ó od? ｟話｠〖主に命令文の後で〗いいか, わかったか (!強く言い聞かせる時にも用いられ, 子供や部下に対する場合などはしばしばDoまたはDo youが省略される:Never let me hear you use that word again! (Do you [You ]) understand ? その言葉は二度と使ったりしないで. わかったわね ) .g ì ve A to underst á nd that …｟かたく｠A 〈人〉に …であると (間接的に )わからせる .m à ke one s è lf underst ó od (外国語で )自分の意思が相手に通じる (→make 他動詞 10b 第2例 ).

understandable

ù n der st á nd a ble 形容詞理解できる, わかる ; もっともな, 当然の .

understandably

ù n der st á nd a bly 副詞〖文修飾〗当然なことだが, (…する [である ]のは )もっともだ ; 至極当然なことに .

understanding

un der stand ing /ʌ̀ndə r stǽndɪŋ /→understand 名詞複～s /-z /1 a. U 〖時にan ～〗 «…に関する » (学習経験による )知識 , 理解 (knowledge ) «of , about » ▸ try to have [gain ] an understanding of people's emotions 人の感情を理解しようとする (≒try to understand people's emotions )b. U 【具体例の】解釈 «of » ▸ my understanding of the novel その小説についての私なりの解釈 2 C 〖通例an ～〗 «…との /…に関する /…するという » (私的非公式の )合意 ; 了解 ; 申し合わせ «with /on /to do » ; 〖one's ～〗 «…であるという » 理解, 認識 «that 節 » ▸ We have finally reached [come to ] an understanding with him .私たちは最終的に彼との合意に達した ▸ It is my understanding that you are not guilty .私の理解では, あなたに罪はない 3 U «…の間の » 協調 (関係 ), 調和 «between » ▸ improve trade and understanding between two nations 2国間の貿易と相互理解を促進する 4 U 理解力, 知性 (intelligence )▸ That's beyond human understanding .それは人間の理解力を超える 5 U 〖時にan ～〗(理解をした上での )思いやり , 同情 (!comprehensionは「言葉に対する理解」であり, 「人に対する理解」を意味しない ) ▸ His eyes showed compassion and understanding .彼の目は同情と思いやりを示していた on [with ] the underst á nding that ……という条件で (on condition that …).with th ì s underst á nding この条件で, これを承知の上で .形容詞 «…に関して » 理解 [思いやり ]のある (sympathetic ) «about , of » ▸ My father is very understanding .私の父はとても理解がある～ly 副詞思いやりをもって〈うなずくほほえむ〉.

understate

ù nder st á te 動詞他動詞自動詞 (…を )控えめに述べる ; (〈数など〉を )少なめに言う (↔overstate , exaggerate ).

understated

ù nder st á t ed /-ɪd /形容詞〖名詞の前で〗控えめな, 微妙な〈色効果など〉(subtle ).

understatement

ù nder st á te ment 名詞 1 U 控えめに述べること .2 C 控えめな表現〘rather goodの意味でnot badと言うなど; 英国人に好まれるとされる; ↔overstatement 〙.

understood

un der stood /ʌ̀ndə r stʊ́d /動詞 understandの過去形過去分詞 .形容詞了解済みの, 暗黙の了解の .

understudy

ú nder st ù dy 名詞複 -ies C «…の » 代役俳優 ; (一般に )代役 «to » ; «…の » 代用 «for » .動詞 (→study )他動詞自動詞 (〈俳優〉の )代役としてけいこする ; 代役をつとめる .

undertake

un der take /ʌ̀ndə r téɪk /〖under (下を )take (取る )〗(名 )undertaking 動詞～s /-s /; -took /-tʊ́k /, ～n /-téɪk (ə )n /; -taking 他動詞｟かたく｠1 〈任務など〉を引き受ける ;〖～ to do 〗…すると約束する (promise ), … することに同意する (agree )▸ undertake a task 仕事を引き受ける ▸ undertake to pay the debt 借金返済の約束をする 2 〈事〉を始める , …に乗り出す, 着手する ▸ undertake a big project 一大プロジェクトに着手する ▸ undertake a journey down the Nile ナイル川を下る旅に出る 3 ｟英｠〖～ that節〗…ということを保証する, 断言する ▸ I can undertake that you will like it .あなたは絶対それを気に入ると思いますよ自動詞 1 ｟古｠【仕事などに】責任をもつ ; « …を » 保証する, 請け合う ;【人の】保証人になる «for » .2 ｟英話｠葬儀屋をする (→undertaker ).

undertaker

un der tak er /ʌ́ndə r tèɪkə r , 2 では -̀--́ -/名詞 C 1 葬儀屋 (｟主に米｠funeral director; ｟米｠mortician ).2 引き受け人, 請負人 ; 企業家 .

undertaking

un der tak ing /ʌ̀ndə r téɪkɪŋ , 4 では -́--̀ -/→undertake 名詞複～s /-z /1 U (仕事活動の )引き受け .2 C 〖通例単数形で〗(引き受けた )仕事, 事業 .3 C ｟かたく｠ «…する /…という » 約束, 保証 «to do / that 節 » ▸ give an undertaking to do [that …]…する […という ]約束をする 4 U 葬儀 (取り扱い )業 .

under-the-counter

ù nder-the-c ó unter 形容詞｟くだけて｠やみ取引 [売買 ]の ; 不法な, 不正な .

undertone

ú nder t ò ne 名詞 C 1 〖しばしば～s 〗低音 ; 低い声, 小声 ▸ talk in undertones 小声で話す 2 潜在的要素 [性質 ], 底流 ▸ an undertone of sadness in his gaiety 彼の陽気さの裏にある悲哀 3 (透けて見える )地の色 ; 薄い色 .

undertook

un der took /ʌ̀ndə r tʊ́k /動詞 undertakeの過去形 .

undertow

ú nder t ò w 名詞〖an ～〗1 引き波 (undercurrent ); 急な下層流 .2 潜在的な感情, 無意識の心の動き .

under(-)used

ù nder (-)ú sed 形容詞十分利用されていない .

underutilized

ù nder ú til ì zed 形容詞｟ややかたく｠＝underused .

undervalue

ù nder v á lue 動詞他動詞 …を低く評価する, 過小評価する ; 軽視する .ù n der val u á tion 名詞

underwater

ù nder w á ter 形容詞 1 水面下の, 水中 (用 )の ▸ an underwater boat 潜水艦 2 (船の )喫水線下の .副詞水中で, 水面下で [に ].

underway

ù nder w á y 形容詞〖be ～〗航行中で [の ], 進行中で [の ].

underwear

ú nder w è ar 名詞 U 〖集合的に〗下着 (類 ), 肌着 .

underweight

ù nder w é ight 形容詞〖通例be ～〗重量不足の, 標準体重未満の ; やせて健康でない (!thinの婉曲語; →thin 類義 ; ↔overweight ) .

underwent

un der went /ʌ̀ndə r wént /動詞 undergoの過去形 .

underwhelm

un der whelm /ʌ̀ndə r (h )wélm /動詞他動詞｟おどけて｠〈人〉の印象 [存在 ]を薄くする .

underwire bra

ù nder wire br á 名詞 C ワイヤー入りブラジャー .

underworld

under world /ʌ́ndə r wə̀ː r ld /名詞〖the ～〗1 犯罪社会 ; 暗黒街 .2 〖通例U -〗〘ギ神ロ神〙黄泉（よみ）の国, あの世 .3 この世, 下界 .

underwrite

ù nder wr í te 動詞 →write 他動詞 1 〈保険業者が〉 (保険証書に署名して )…の保険を引き受ける .2 〈証券会社が〉〈社債株式など〉を引き受ける .3 〈活動事業など〉の融資を引き受ける .4 …の下に書く ; …に署名する .自動詞保険業を営む .

underwriter

ú nder wr ì ter 名詞 C 1 保険業者, (特に )海上保険業者 .2 証券の引受人 .