undercurrent

American  

[uhn-der-kur-uhnt, -kuhr-] / ˈʌn dərˌkɜr ənt, -ˌkʌr- /

noun

• undercurrents
  plural

1. a tendency underlying or at variance with the obvious or superficial significance of words, actions, etc..

   Even in his friendliest remarks, one could sense an undercurrent of hostility.

2. a current, as of air or water, that flows below the upper currents or surface.

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undercurrent British  

/ ˈʌndəˌkʌrənt /

noun

1. a current that is not apparent at the surface or lies beneath another current

2. an opinion, emotion, etc, lying beneath apparent feeling or meaning

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Usage

What is an undercurrent? An undercurrent is a flow of water or air that moves below the highest current or the surface. Undercurrent is more often used figuratively to mean a tendency underlying or at odds with what’s on the surface, as in While the two candidates smiled and shook hands, everyone in the room could feel the undercurrent of aggression between them. Example: The undercurrent at the beach today was so strong, I worried it was going to carry me out to sea!

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• undercurrents
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of undercurrent

First recorded in 1675–85; under- + current

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Explanation

An undercurrent is a mood or atmosphere just below the surface, like the undercurrent of anxiety in your school during final exams. The figurative meaning of undercurrent is more common than its literal definition, "an ocean current that runs beneath the surface of the water." Another word for this kind of undercurrent is a "subsurface current." When most of us use the word undercurrent, however, we're talking about a general state of mind, something that subtly influences the way people feel, like the undercurrent of suspense running through a good horror movie.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

undercurrent undercurrents

But the piece also reflected feelings Valdez had about his long-estranged brother Frank, an engineer whose alienating efforts to deny his own background and fit in formed a heavy undercurrent in Valdez’s life.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

Anyone who knows Early’s comedy knows that even his most eviscerating jokes have an undercurrent of love and hope.

From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026

A presumption that there is an undercurrent of simmering rage in day-to-day life has taken hold in ways that might have startled past generations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 23, 2026

But Yoon also tapped into pre-existing anxieties and grievances, especially among young men, activating a latent undercurrent of discontent and driving it to the surface.

From BBC ● Feb. 22, 2026

There is a recurrent scene from those dinners that surfaces again and again, like an obsessive undercurrent in a dream.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Unlike some recent stagings that have emphasized the dark undercurrents in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma,” Francesca Zambello’s slick new production was all primary colors, a paean to American frontier boosterism.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

“In an eventual post-crisis world, a multi- polar environment lends itself to a much more gold-positive one. Additionally, many of the undercurrents that drove gold prices higher remain intact, albeit on pause,” he added.

From Barron's ● Jun. 10, 2026

One of the many undercurrents of Wednesday’s debate was the ongoing tussle between Becerra and Villaraigosa.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2026

"In an ocean you don't see undercurrents but local people know where the undercurrents are and where avalanches go off frequently. So please always talk with local people and listen to the avalanche forecast."

From BBC ● Feb. 19, 2026

I never knew what undercurrents between union and management might be coursing through Coalwood.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

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Related Words

• atmosphere
• aura
• crosscurrent
• feeling
• hint
• inclination
• indication
• intimation
• murmur
• overtone
• sense
• tinge
• undertone
• undertow

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