underdog
Americannoun
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a person who is expected to lose in a contest or conflict.
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a victim of social or political injustice.
The underdogs were beginning to organize their protests.
noun
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the competitor least likely to win a fight or contest
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a person in adversity or in a position of inferiority
Etymology
Origin of underdog
1875–80, under- + dog ( def. )
Explanation
An underdog is someone who isn't likely to win a competition or contest. When a professional basketball player faces off against a high school student who's a foot shorter, the high schooler is the underdog. Anyone at a disadvantage, whether in general or in a particular situation, can be called an underdog. In sports, it's common to call the team that's expected to lose in a game the underdog. This word was originally used in dogfighting around 1887, to refer to a dog defeated in a fight. A 1960s cartoon character named Underdog was an unlikely (and under-qualified) superhero dog. The show's tagline was "There's no need to fear! Underdog is here!"
Vocabulary lists containing underdog
Idioms and Expressions, List 1
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Academy Awards, List 2
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My Brother Sam is Dead
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Appeared in the April 27, 2026, print edition as 'Musk Is Underdog in Fight Against OpenAI'.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026
When the Underdog balloon gets loose during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, the group rushes to the roof to watch only to realize they are locked out of the apartment.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 24, 2025
Underdog Shin was on a three-fight winning streak since losing a close decision to former world champion Delfine Persoon in May 2023.
From BBC • Mar. 7, 2025
Underdog Romania had a moment to cherish against Ireland, the top-ranked team in the world, by scoring the first try.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 12, 2023
Holding tight through the scary parts, until we tell him Scooby-Doo will save the day, Bugs Bunny will get away, Underdog will arrive before the train hits Sweet Polly Purebred.
From "Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
