undercurrent

[uhn-der-kur-uhnt, -kuhr-]

noun

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.

undercurrent

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of undercurrent¹

First recorded in 1675–85; under- + current

Example Sentences

The sisters laugh raucously, but there's an undercurrent of pain.

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The Wolf of Wall Street actor explained that while he doesn't feel like there's a central message to the film, "there's an interesting undercurrent about extremism".

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With its Baroque intonations, the piano interlude participates in establishing the track’s nostalgic undercurrents.

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“All families are concerned with what happens next,” Fellowes says of the story’s thematic undercurrent.

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There is, at all times, a prominent undercurrent of confidence that keeps “Caught Stealing” humming in neutral, ready to rev its engines and blast off again.

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Related Words

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

When To Use

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!