underwater

[uhn-der-waw-ter, -wot-er]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of underwater¹

First recorded in 1620–30; under- + water

Example Sentences

"When other fish get caught in those nets they sort of flail and it sends out a vibration underwater, sort of like ringing the dinner bell," says Prof Pepin-Neff.

From BBC

But when wasting disease in effect wiped out their main predator, the sea urchins exploded in number, decimating kelp forests and transforming once-lush underwater habitats into so-called urchin barrens.

From Los Angeles Times

The farms are on rich peat soil that used to be underwater but is now slowly drying out.

From BBC

A catastrophic flood could put many areas of the state underwater, threatening lives and property on an unprecedented scale, experts say.

From Los Angeles Times

The flooding washed away several key bridges, submerged vehicles and left the ground floors of homes underwater.

From BBC

Related Words

• submerged 
• undersea