underlying
[ uhn-der-lahy-ing ]
/ ˈʌn dərˌlaɪ ɪŋ /
adjective
lying or situated beneath, as a substratum.
fundamental; basic: the underlying cause of their discontent.
implicit; discoverable only by close scrutiny or analysis: an underlying seriousness in his witticisms.
(of a claim, mortgage, etc.) taking precedence; anterior; prior.
Linguistics. belonging to an earlier stage in the transformational derivation of a sentence or other structure; belonging to the deep structure.
QUIZZES
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This windfall of words will make you rich with knowledge. Mine your memory on the words from July 27 to August 2!
Question 1 of 7
What does "scattergood" mean?
a person who acts as though he or she knows everything and who dismisses the opinions, comments, or suggestions of others.
a person who spends possessions or money extravagantly or wastefully; spendthrift.
a well-intentioned but naive and often ineffectual social or political reformer.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUTWords nearby underlying
underlie, underline, underlinen, underling, underlit, underlying, undermanned, undermentioned, undermine, undermining ulcer, undermodulate
Definition for underlying (2 of 2)
underlie
[ uhn-der-lahy ]
/ ˌʌn dərˈlaɪ /
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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for underlying
British Dictionary definitions for underlying (1 of 2)
underlying
/ (ˌʌndəˈlaɪɪŋ) /
adjective
concealed but detectableunderlying guilt
fundamental; basic
lying under
finance (of a claim, liability, etc) taking precedence; prior
British Dictionary definitions for underlying (2 of 2)
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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