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

Explanation

The plants that grow on a forest floor, including shrubs and small trees, are called undergrowth. If you leave a marked hiking trail in the woods, you might have a hard time getting through the undergrowth. You won't find a lot of undergrowth in a North American forest in the winter — most ferns and other plants die back, and many shrubs and trees lose their leaves. In the summertime, however, undergrowth can be thick and dense under the taller, older trees. This noun dates from the 1600s, a combination of under, "beneath or below," and growth, "something that has grown."

Example Sentences

He was surrounded by the soldiers again, who found him hiding in the undergrowth, the head of the military explained.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

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 • Nov. 30, 2025

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 • Aug. 7, 2025

The tree is native to California and resistant to fire, but not if surrounded by thick mustard weed undergrowth.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2025

She, however, wanted to hide away from the lion in the thick undergrowth at the bottom of the gorge.

From "My Life with the Chimpanzees" by Jane Goodall

Related Words

• thicket