underscore

American  

[uhn-der-skawr, -skohr, uhn-der-skawr, -skohr, uhn-der-skawr, -skohr] / ˈʌn dərˌskɔr, -ˌskoʊr, ˌʌn dərˈskɔr, -ˈskoʊr, ˈʌn dərˌskɔr, -ˌskoʊr /

verb (used with object)

underscored, underscoring

1. to mark with a line or lines underneath; underline, as for emphasis.

2. to stress; emphasize.

   The recent tragedy underscores the danger of disregarding safety rules.

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noun

1. a line drawn beneath something written or printed.

2. music for a film soundtrack; background for a film or stage production.

underscore British  

verb

1. to draw or score a line or mark under

2. to stress or reinforce

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noun

1. a line drawn under written matter

Etymology

Origin of underscore

First recorded in 1765–75; under- + score

Example Sentences

Financial advisers say these wide ranges underscore the metals’ volatility and why investors shouldn’t chase prices.

From The Wall Street Journal

The reductions announced on Monday, though smaller in scale, underscore the company's ongoing push to shift investments toward bolstering staffing in its nearly 2,000 stores across the US.

From BBC

Lanier underscored his opening remarks by speaking with a display of children's blocks in front of him: the words "Addicting," "Brains" and "Children" appeared next to the letters A, B, and C.

From BBC

Villa, who started the taqueria as a pop-up in the Highland Park neighborhood in 2018, took to Instagram to express gratitude for the opportunity, underscoring his family’s immigrant background.

From Los Angeles Times

Their prominence during one of television’s biggest events underscores how pharmaceutical marketing has moved beyond traditional medical settings into mainstream entertainment.

From Salon

Related Words

• accentuate
• highlight
• indicate
• mark
• stress