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.

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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

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adverb

1. beneath the surface of the water

Etymology

Origin of underwater

First recorded in 1620–30; under- + water

Example Sentences

Dubbed the underwater fish disco, for six months a network of speakers have played sounds that deter fish in the Severn Estuary from swimming close to the plant's pipes.

From BBC

About 1.1 million American homeowners were underwater on their mortgages at the end of last year as home prices stalled, signaling a deepening crisis within the housing market.

From MarketWatch

“I thought you said the gators were riding out the storm underwater,” Nicole said.

From Literature

A person with a broken ankle would have a hard time climbing out of a car that was underwater.

From Literature

The subsequent 15-month consolidation resembles a potential “beach ball held underwater” type breakout, suggesting the possibility for a powerful move if resistance gives way.

From Barron's

Related Words

• submerged
• undersea