underscore

[ verb uhn-der-skawr, -skohr, uhn-der-skawr, -skohr; noun uhn-der-skawr, -skohr ]

/ verb ˈʌn dərˌskɔr, -ˌskoʊr, ˌʌn dərˈskɔr, -ˈskoʊr; noun ˈʌn dərˌskɔr, -ˌskoʊr /

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See synonyms for: underscore / underscored / underscores on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), un·der·scored, un·der·scor·ing.

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

to stress; emphasize: The recent tragedy underscores the danger of disregarding safety rules.

noun

a line drawn beneath something written or printed.

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

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of underscore

First recorded in 1765–75; under- + score

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use underscore in a sentence

Marrying yourself merely underscores selfishness and self-interest, rather than enabling you to live singly in the best way.
Why Singles Should Say ‘I Don’t’ to The Self-Marriage Movement|Tim Teeman|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The attack on a BBC TV crew underscores the threat that all journalists face.
Violent Assaults on Reporters in Russia Go Unpunished|Anna Nemtsova|September 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But that only underscores the injustice of the sentence here.
House Arrest for Marital Rape, Are you Kidding?!|Sally Kohn|May 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This point underscores the extent to which 2016 hovers over everything discussed in this article.
Here’s What Happens When the GOP Takes Over the Senate|Michael Tomasky|April 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Tocqueville underscores: “The few opulent citizens of a democracy constitute no exception to this rule.”
What’s At Stake In The Tocqueville/Piketty Debate|James Poulos|April 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In edition 11, underscores are used to denote words and phrases italicized for emphasis.
This Side of Paradise|F. Scott Fitzgerald
This latter theme, with the motive of Fate, underscores the earlier portions of the dialogue between Golaud and Mélisande.
Debussy's Pellas et Mlisande|Lawrence Gilman
When the editor underscores a word, the Chinese compositor charges $9 extra for italicizing it.
Remarks|Bill Nye
Continued underscores indicate intentional gaps in sentence.
The I.W.W.|Paul Frederick Brissenden
Sole in the violent welter of those sheets it had no underscores nor any exclamations.
This Freedom|A. S. M. Hutchinson

British Dictionary definitions for underscore

underscore

verb (ˌʌndəˈskɔː) (tr)

to draw or score a line or mark under

to stress or reinforce

noun (ˈʌndəˌskɔː)

a line drawn under written matter

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

underscore

Origin of underscore

Words related to underscore

How to use underscore in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for underscore