subterranean

[suhb-tuh-rey-nee-uh n]

See more synonyms for subterranean on Thesaurus.com

adjective Also sub·ter·ra·ne·ous.

existing, situated, or operating below the surface of the earth; underground.
existing or operating out of sight or secretly; hidden or secret.

noun

a person or thing that is subterranean.
a subterrane.

Origin of subterranean

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

Related formssub·ter·ra·ne·an·ly, sub·ter·ra·ne·ous·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for subterranean

covert, hush-hush, private, secret, subversive, sunken, underfoot, buried, subterrestrial

Examples from the Web for subterranean

Contemporary Examples of subterranean

Subterranean explorers puzzled over the mysterious red door that cut off access to underground tunnels leading to the bunker.
Britain’s Nuke-Proof Underground City
Nina Strochlic
June 26, 2014
Edie Sedgwick, the subterranean princess, was undoubtedly interesting and fun.
Bob Dylan and the Writing of ‘Blonde on Blonde’ at the Chelsea Hotel
Sherill Tippins
December 3, 2013
Michael Jackson will lie in repose over no fewer than 13 subterranean floors, each holding intriguing secrets.
Michael's Foreverland
Diane Dimond
September 1, 2009
Each new group gets a subterranean ovation for being a part of this wonderful thing, for being a part of this New York niceness.
Subway Euphoria
Jessi Klein
November 5, 2008

Historical Examples of subterranean

We are like men in a subterranean cave, so chained that they can look only forward to the entrance.
Philothea
Lydia Maria Child
The subterranean creep throws a fit and belts me with four fists.
Operation Earthworm
Joe Archibald
Only in places was the subterranean river shallow and easy to wade.
Out of the Depths
Robert Ames Bennet
Humboldt says that they were cast up from subterranean sources.
The Book of the Damned
Charles Fort
Purdy did not hit for the subterranean hang-out of the gang.
Prairie Flowers
James B. Hendryx

British Dictionary definitions for subterranean

subterranean

adjective

Also: subterraneous, subterrestrial situated, living, or operating below the surface of the earth
existing or operating in concealment

Derived Formssubterraneanly or subterraneously, adverb

Word Origin for subterranean

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for subterranean

adj.

c.1600, from Latin subterraneus "underground," from sub "under" (see sub-) + terra "earth" (see terrain).