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underlie
[ uhn-der-lahy ]
/ ˌʌn dərˈlaɪ /
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verb (used with object), un·der·lay, un·der·lain, un·der·ly·ing.
to lie under or beneath; be situated under.
to be at the basis of; form the foundation of.
Grammar. to function as the root morpheme or original or basic form of (a derived form): The form “boy” underlies “boyish.”
Finance. to be primary to another right or security.
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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Words nearby underlie
underlay, underlayer, underlayment, underleaf, underlet, underlie, underline, underlinen, underling, underlit, under lock and key
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use underlie in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for underlie
underlie
/ (ˌʌndəˈlaɪ) /
verb -lies, -lying, -lay or -lain (tr)
to lie or be placed under or beneath
to be the foundation, cause, or basis ofcareful planning underlies all our decisions
finance to take priority over (another claim, liability, mortgage, etc)a first mortgage underlies a second
to be the root or stem from which (a word) is derived"happy" underlies "happiest"
Derived forms of underlie
underlier, nounCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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