subterranean

[ suhb-tuh-rey-nee-uhn ]
See synonyms for subterranean on Thesaurus.com
adjectiveAlso sub·ter·ra·ne·ous.
  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.

Origin of subterranean

1
1595–1605; <Latin subterrāne(us) (see subterrane) + -an

Other words from subterranean

  • sub·ter·ra·ne·an·ly, sub·ter·ra·ne·ous·ly, adverb

Words Nearby subterranean

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How to use subterranean in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for subterranean

subterranean

/ (ˌsʌbtəˈreɪnɪən) /


adjective
  1. Also: subterraneous, subterrestrial situated, living, or operating below the surface of the earth

  2. existing or operating in concealment

Origin of subterranean

1
C17: from Latin subterrāneus, from sub- + terra earth

Derived forms of subterranean

  • subterraneanly or subterraneously, adverb

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