underwater

American  

[uhn-der-waw-ter, -wot-er] / ˈʌn dərˈwɔ tər, -ˈwɒt ər /

adjective

1. existing or occurring under water.

2. designed to be used under water.

3. located below a ship's waterline.

---

adverb

1. beneath the water.

   to travel underwater.

noun

1. the water beneath the surface.

   cold currents in the underwater.

2. underwaters, the depths, as of a sea, lake, etc.

underwater British  

/ ˈʌndəˈwɔːtə /

adjective

1. being, occurring, or going under the surface of the water, esp the sea

   underwater exploration

2. nautical below the water line of a vessel

3. (of a stock option or other asset) having a market value below its purchase value

---

adverb

1. beneath the surface of the water

Etymology

Origin of underwater

First recorded in 1620–30; under- + water

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

underwater

The dizzying selloff has put many bonds underwater.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 3, 2026

Kosin Nilset, who lives along the Premprachakorn canal on the outskirts of the capital, said his house was "underwater for about 30 hours".

From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026

NWS said in its alert: "Prepare immediately for significant inundation in low-lying areas near the shore, including roads underwater and impacts to homes and businesses."

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

Of particular interest were deposits called turbidites, which can form when underwater landslides send large amounts of sediment rushing downhill.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 24, 2026

There was another surprise when I dived underwater because Star joined me again, swimming as expertly as she did above the surface.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

Related Words

• submerged
• undersea