undergrowth

American  

[uhn-der-grohth] / ˈʌn dərˌgroʊθ /

noun

1. low-lying vegetation or small trees growing beneath larger trees; underbrush.

2. the condition of being undergrown or undersized.

3. short, fine hair underlying longer, outer wool or fur.

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undergrowth British  

/ ˈʌndəˌɡrəʊθ /

noun

1. small trees, bushes, ferns, etc, growing beneath taller trees in a wood or forest

2. the condition of being undergrown

3. a growth of short fine hairs beneath longer ones; underfur

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Etymology

Origin of undergrowth

First recorded in 1590–1600; under- + growth

Example Sentences

Early forms likely slipped through the undergrowth beneath the feet of dinosaurs and succeeded by evolving a variety of strategies for capturing prey.

From Science Daily

Mr O'Brien says the film team made the environment look broken down, heavily overgrown with weeds and undergrowth, and with "almost a sense of rottenness inherent in the fabric of the building".

From BBC

They crossed rivers on bamboo rafts hacked through thick undergrowth, and trudged on in subzero cold.

From BBC

The note was found in a sealed white envelope when police apprehended Mr Berry and Mr Thomas hiding in undergrowth near the caravan site on the night of the attack.

From BBC

Both camps were concealed in undergrowth and shrubbery and he had also taken to shaving his head to change his appearance and evade police.

From BBC

Related Words

• thicket