underline
Americanverb (used with object)
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underlines,
present (3rd person singular)
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underlined,
past participle, past
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underlining
present participle
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to mark with a line or lines underneath; underscore.
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to indicate the importance of; emphasize, as by stressing or italicizing.
noun
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Printing. a caption under an illustration.
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a line drawn under something; an underscore.
verb
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to put a line under
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to state forcibly; emphasize or reinforce
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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underlinesimple
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underlinessimple
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have underlinedperfect
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has underlinedperfect
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am underliningprogressive
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are underliningprogressive
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is underliningprogressive
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have been underliningperfect progressive
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has been underliningperfect progressive
Past
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underlinedsimple
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had underlinedperfect
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was underliningprogressive
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were underliningprogressive
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had been underliningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of underline
Vocabulary lists containing underline
Language and Grammar - Introductory
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Language and Grammar - Middle School
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Reading: Informational - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"What Burnham's doing is really very different because he's trying to underline that things can be better, and government can still make a difference."
From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026
To underline his point, equity financing costs are roughly where they were during the global financial crisis.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 2026
To underline the point, within 20 seconds, race control upgraded the flag to a double yellow, but everyone had completed their laps by then.
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026
The French government has argued that it is relying on similar principles that underline regulations on advertisements for alcohol or cigarettes, said Violland.
From Barron's ● Jun. 29, 2026
He proceeded to underline the historic significance of the occasion and discuss the need for overcoming mutual distrust.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Well, Tommy can do her hair but, by design, can never replace Mickey, and that conflict between Valerie and Tommy underlines her loss and her denial of Mickey’s passing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
“Reported interest at this kind of valuation underlines how far premium sports franchises have moved from trophy assets to institutional-grade investments. Scarcity is the defining feature,” Talikoti said.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026
The unusual intensity of some of the fires underlines the increasing risk the continent faces as climate change parches vegetation and makes the emergencies more extreme, scientists say.
From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026
And she underlines the fact that, when it comes to long-term care in the United States, only the relatively well-off have good choices.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
She wrinkles her delicate nose, but panic underlines her words.
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
As for the market, the news again underlined the progress Chinese AI labs have made relative to their American counterparts.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
A Paramount spokesperson told Variety that the company is "grateful for the Court’s swift order" and underlined that it "preserves the status quo while the Court considers the antitrust issues presented."
From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026
John “Jak” Raymond, a delegate candidate in Hancock County, also underlined how the county delegate electorate differs from the primary electorate.
From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026
A run to the Australian Open quarter-finals in 2024 underlined her talent, but consistent runs at the majors have been rare.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026
The words two hundred million dollars were underlined, but she found a more interesting item.
From "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin
Only Ousmane Dembele had a better combined shot volume with chance creation in Ligue 1, underlining Barcola's rare ability to both finish attacks and create opportunities for team-mates.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
The crypto-data provider Blockworks said that it acquired its rival Messari in a deal underlining the pressures faced by once-highflying startups in a deepening bear market.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
"Whoever wants to govern has to be sensible," he told reporters earlier Friday, while underlining continuity in economic policy, citing respect for central bank independence and long-standing macroeconomic rules.
From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 2026
But I deeply appreciated that while underlining the real obstacles Deborah and Ava faced, the writers showcased and explored how the bad choices each women had made, and defended, also contributed to their situations.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2026
At first her questions were legitimate enough: Arithmetic, spelling, languages, geography, and the sort of purposeful confusion—about ringing numbers and underlining words—in which some psychologists place particular store.
From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
