underworld

[uhn-der-wurld]

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.

underworld

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of underworld¹

First recorded in 1600–10; under- + world

Example Sentences

Two nights later, prosecutors say, Jones was dishing about his friend to the gambling underworld.

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As one descends the underworld’s nine circles, they must be careful not to let ne’er-do-wells and scoundrels extinguish their flame.

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Researchers believe there are links between Huanya and a prominent Chinese underworld figure Wan Kuok Koi, better known as Broken Tooth, who has since invested in other scam centres on the border.

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Kang wants to kick that idea into the underworld: "There's so many elements of the tone and the comedy that are so suited for animation," she says.

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But in the space of a few weeks the attacks put some of the country's leading underworld figures and their associates back under the police spotlight.

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Related Words

• gangland 
• mob 
• organized crime www.thesaurus.com
• syndicate