subterranean

[ suhb-tuh-rey-nee-uhn ]

adjective

1. existing, situated, or operating below the surface of the earth; underground.
2. existing or operating out of sight or secretly; hidden or secret.

noun

1. a person or thing that is subterranean.
2. a subterrane.

subterranean

/ ˌsʌbtəˈreɪnɪən /

adjective

1. Alsosubterraneoussubterrestrial situated, living, or operating below the surface of the earth
2. existing or operating in concealment

Derived Forms

• ˌsubterˈraneanly, adverb

Other Words From

• subter·rane·an·ly subter·rane·ous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of subterranean¹

1595–1605; < Latin subterrāne ( us ) ( subterrane ) + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of subterranean¹

C17: from Latin subterrāneus, from sub- + terra earth

Example Sentences

A link of pitches perhaps, an a-rhythmic phrase that will lead to a strong subterranean pulsation.

From The Daily Beast

Subterranean explorers puzzled over the mysterious red door that cut off access to underground tunnels leading to the bunker.

From The Daily Beast

At the impressive Memorial Museum in Caen there is a darkly lit subterranean section called “France in the Dark Years.”

From The Daily Beast

And it makes one appreciate the comparatively subterranean biases of NPR, PBS, and the BBC.

From The Daily Beast

Edie Sedgwick, the subterranean princess, was undoubtedly interesting and fun.

From The Daily Beast

Still water runs deep, they say; and a glacial cap may conceal subterranean fires.

From Project Gutenberg

By the light of this subterranean luminary they discovered that they were standing at the foot of an ancient castle.

From Project Gutenberg

The accompanying map of part of the Catacomb of Callixtus will indicate the general plan of these subterranean galleries.

From Project Gutenberg

She was cast into a bare and miserable dungeon, in that subterranean receptacle of woe, where there was not even a bed.

From Project Gutenberg

The tufa granolare, on the contrary, was admirably adapted for the construction of these subterranean cemeteries.

From Project Gutenberg