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

See Examples For:

underwater

Hilton’s favorability rating is underwater, with 39% of likely voters viewing him favorably and 50% unfavorably.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

The body of the student, who was born in Libya, was recovered by a member of an underwater search team the following day.

From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026

"This study has delivered the first framework for interpreting how megafauna fossils formed, survived, and changed in underwater caves," Miss Walker said.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026

The Great Barrier Reef might be the world's most famous underwater ecosystem, but hidden in UK waters lies an ancient marine world you may not have heard of.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

I’m falling for just a second … before I’m underwater.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

Related Words

• submerged
• undersea