underground

American  

[uhn-der-ground, uhn-der-ground] / ˈʌn dərˈgraʊnd, ˈʌn dərˌgraʊnd /

adverb

1. beneath the surface of the ground: ground.

   traveling underground by subway.

2. in concealment or secrecy; not openly.

   subversion carried on underground.

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adjective

1. existing, situated, operating, or taking place beneath the surface of the ground. ground.

2. used, or for use, underground.

3. hidden or secret; not open.

   underground political activities.

4. published or produced by political or social radicals or nonconformists.

   an underground newspaper.

5. avant-garde; experimental.

   an underground movie.

6. critical of or attacking the established society or system.

   underground opinion.

7. of or for nonconformists; unusual.

   an underground vegetarian restaurant.

noun

1. the place or region beneath the surface of the ground. ground.

2. an underground space or passage.

3. a secret organization fighting the established government or occupation forces.

   He fought in the French underground during the Nazi occupation of France.

4. (often initial capital letter)  a movement or group existing outside the establishment and usually reflecting unorthodox, avant-garde, or radical views.

5. Chiefly British.  a subway system.

verb (used with object)

1. to place beneath the surface of the ground: ground.

   to underground utility lines.

underground British  

adjective

1. occurring, situated, or used below ground level

   an underground tunnel

   an underground explosion

2. secret; hidden

   underground activities

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adverb

1. going below ground level

   the tunnel led underground

2. into hiding or secrecy

   the group was driven underground

noun

1. a space or region below ground level

2. 1. a movement dedicated to overthrowing a government or occupation forces, as in the European countries occupied by the German army in World War II

   2. ( as modifier )

      an underground group

3. US and Canadian equivalent: subway.  an electric passenger railway operated in underground tunnels

4. (usually preceded by the)

   1. any avant-garde, experimental, or subversive movement in popular art, films, music, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      the underground press

      underground music

Etymology

Origin of underground

First recorded in 1565–75; under- + ground ¹

Example Sentences

Copper is found in electrical and telecommunications wiring, both underground and in above-ground poles.

From The Wall Street Journal

According to media reports, their beds stand side by side in the presidential office's underground bunker, and in their free time, they play table tennis, watch movies or work out.

From Barron's

In “Floyd Collins,” Jeremy Jordan met the challenge of bringing vital life to a character on the verge of losing his—a cave explorer trapped underground—in director Tina Landau’s restrained but deeply moving production.

From The Wall Street Journal

Federal Bureau of Prison Director William K. Marshall III cited problems with underground tunnels containing the facility’s steam heating system in a memo to staff on Tuesday obtained by the Associated Press.

From Los Angeles Times

Ms Vilaplana's bank card details reviewed by the magistrate have since shown she drove out of the underground car park at 19:47.

From BBC

Related Words

• clandestine
• experimental
• hidden
• private