underway

[ uhn-der-wey for 1; uhn-der-wey for 2 ]

/ ˈʌn dərˌweɪ for 1; ˈʌn dərˈweɪ for 2 /

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See synonyms for underway on Thesaurus.com

adjective

occurring while under way: the underway activities on a cruise ship.

under way (def. 1).

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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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 underway

1735–45; adj. use of the adverbial phrase under way;see way¹

Words nearby underway

underutilize, undervalue, undervest, underwaist, underwater, underway, underwear, underweight, underwent, underwhelm, underwhelming

Other definitions for underway (2 of 2)

under way

adjective, adverb

Also underway. (of a ship) no longer in port, at anchor, etc.; moving.

no longer at rest, stationary, etc.; in motion; traveling: We'll put our bags in the car and be under way.

proceeding; in progress: Plans are under way to sell the company.

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

How to use underway in a sentence

In the meantime, research is underway to figure out how much vaccinated people can transmit the virus.
Covid-19 vaccines are great — but you still need to wear a mask for now|Umair Irfan|February 9, 2021|Vox
The transition in Silicon Valley has been underway for some time.
With Bezos out as Amazon CEO, Zuckerberg is the last man standing|Elizabeth Dwoskin|February 3, 2021|Washington Post
That should explain why Republican efforts to make voting harder, which has been underway for years, intensified after the 2020 election.
Shrinking the GOP, one state at a time|Jennifer Rubin|February 2, 2021|Washington Post
The stock frenzy has attracted so much media attention that talks are already underway to turn the Wall Street mania into a Hollywood drama.
Online traders power up silver as GameStop retreats|Hamza Shaban|February 1, 2021|Washington Post

The program already has helped pay nearly 100 water bills since the effort got underway last month, Delores Bullock said.
Annapolis couple use nonprofit to fight homelessness, hunger during pandemic|Brooks DuBose|February 1, 2021|Washington Post
On Friday evening, as the conference got underway, the two senators were on the stage delivering comedic standup routines.
Politics End In Halifax As Democratic and GOP Senators Seek Common Ground on National Security|Tim Mak|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now, with the second ACA enrollment period underway, the Obama administration is renewing its Obamacare celebrity push.
The White House Reactivates Its Army of Celebrity Obamacare Endorsers|Asawin Suebsaeng|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Something similar appears to be underway now in the Syrian provinces of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor.
U.S. Humanitarian Aid Going to ISIS|Jamie Dettmer|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As talks get underway again in Vienna, many voices are raised against them on Capitol Hill and abroad.
It’s Time to Nail the Iran Nuke Deal|Rep. Rush Holt, Kate Gould|October 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Several experiments in the emerging vehicle-to-grid sector are underway.
Adding Vehicles to the Grid|The Daily Beast|October 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Photoidentification studies now underway tentatively reveal that the population may exceed 100.
Humpback Whales in Glacier Bay National Monument, Alaska|United States Department of Commerce, Marine Mammal Commission
Just at present, I want to remark that I've got the coffee and potato business underway, and I'll attend to them.
Woodcraft and Camping|George Washington Sears (Nessmuk)
The rules of the road are the rules governing the movements of vessels when underway.
On Yacht Sailing|Thomas Fleming Day
“All right,” assented the pitcher, and once more the game was underway.
Baseball Joe of the Silver Stars|Lester Chadwick
The bustle and din of the army getting underway didn't keep Jack and his companions from sleeping.
The Boy Scout Automobilists|Robert Maitland

British Dictionary definitions for underway

under way

adjective (postpositive)

in progress; in operationthe show was under way

nautical in motion

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with underway

under way

In motion, as in The ship got under way at noon. [c. 1930]

Already started, in progress, as in Plans are under way to expand. [c. 1930]

underway

Origin of underway

Words nearby underway

Other definitions for underway (2 of 2)

Words related to underway

How to use underway in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for underway

Other Idioms and Phrases with underway