subterranean

[suhb-tuh-rey-nee-uhn]

adjective

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.

subterranean

/ ˌsʌbtəˈreɪnɪən /

adjective

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

2. existing or operating in concealment

Other Word Forms

• subterraneanly adverb
• subterraneously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of subterranean¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of subterranean¹

C17: from Latin subterrāneus, from _sub- + terra earth

Example Sentences

The plotting doesn’t have any subterranean levels either, trusting solely in its primal display of sweat, hormones and heartbreak.

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"At the very least, I expect England to have their second-best Ashes since 1990, which is, admittedly, an almost subterraneanly low bar. And I may reassess after 0.5 seconds of the series. Again."

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Sometimes I find myself underground, following the path of a worm as it burrows through miles of subterranean soil.

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These subterranean bins are clean, smartly presented, and a better use of public space, says Mr Boys Smith.

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Other subterranean tremors acknowledge Maia’s inner tug of war between New York and her new battleground.

Read more on Salon