underworld

American  

[uhn-der-wurld] / ˈʌn dərˌwɜrld /

noun

1. the criminal element of human society.

2. the imagined abode of departed souls or spirits; Hades.

3. a region below the surface, as of the earth or a body of water.

4. the opposite side of the earth; the antipodes.

5. Archaic. the earth.

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underworld British  

/ ˈʌndəˌwɜːld /

noun

1. 1. criminals and their associates considered collectively

   2. ( as modifier )

      underworld connections

2. the regions below the earth's surface regarded as the abode of the dead; Hades

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Etymology

Origin of underworld

First recorded in 1600–10; under- + world

Example Sentences

Yet before she can truly represent both the queen of the underworld and goddess of spring, Moreno must first survive the gauntlet that is the New York winter.

From Los Angeles Times

At least three high-level operatives would likely race for the throne of Oseguera’s underworld empire, said U.S. authorities.

From The Wall Street Journal

The animated movie about a Korean girl group battling invaders from the underworld was a surprise hit last year, becoming the most watched original film on Netflix.

From The Wall Street Journal

The country has a sprawling underworld of clandestine artisanal miners.

From Barron's

But there is a serious hurdle: U.S. prosecutors have viewed López Serrano as too valuable a source on the Mexican underworld to ship him back south, according to Mexico’s former Atty.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• gangland
• mob
• organized crime
• syndicate