undercurrent

American  

[uhn-der-kur-uhnt, -kuhr-] / ˈʌn dərˌkɜr ənt, -ˌkʌr- /

noun

undercurrents plural

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.

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undercurrent British  

/ 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

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Usage

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!

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• undercurrents
  plural

Etymology

Origin of undercurrent

First recorded in 1675–85; under- + current

Explanation

An undercurrent is a mood or atmosphere just below the surface, like the undercurrent of anxiety in your school during final exams. The figurative meaning of undercurrent is more common than its literal definition, "an ocean current that runs beneath the surface of the water." Another word for this kind of undercurrent is a "subsurface current." When most of us use the word undercurrent, however, we're talking about a general state of mind, something that subtly influences the way people feel, like the undercurrent of suspense running through a good horror movie.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

undercurrent undercurrents

It’s a joyous moment, yet there’s an undercurrent of sadness.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026

This is the drink I want after a long afternoon spent outside: effervescent and bright, but with an undercurrent of smoke and brine.

From Salon ● Jun. 9, 2026

A strong undercurrent of that lively book is that it’s good to be unreadable and sneaky: “I play it very loose.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 2, 2026

But Yoon also tapped into pre-existing anxieties and grievances, especially among young men, activating a latent undercurrent of discontent and driving it to the surface.

From BBC ● Feb. 22, 2026

A live undercurrent of excitement fizzed in him, and he softened to the point of giving me a grin.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

“In an eventual post-crisis world, a multi- polar environment lends itself to a much more gold-positive one. Additionally, many of the undercurrents that drove gold prices higher remain intact, albeit on pause,” he added.

From Barron's ● Jun. 10, 2026

Predictably, the novel’s twin undercurrents of pride and corruption surface with fatal consequences, and the lively narrative ends as fate demands that it must.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 13, 2026

It’s possible to miss some of the dramatic undercurrents gripping the stock market right now by looking only at the surface.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 15, 2025

It’s also well cast, with the appealing Blyth always in control of the undercurrents, especially alongside the excellent Tovey, playing a sadder, wiser closetedness.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2025

I never knew what undercurrents between union and management might be coursing through Coalwood.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

Related Words

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