underline

1 of 2

verb

un·​der·​line ˈən-dər-ˌlīn  ˌən-dər-ˈlīn 

underlined; underlining; underlines

transitive verb

1

: to mark (something, such as a word) with a line underneath

2

: to put emphasis on : stress

3

: to show clearly or emphatically

underline

2 of 2

noun

un·​der·​line ˈən-dər-ˌlīn 

1

: the outline of a quadruped's underbody

also : the ventral surface of a quadruped's body

2

: a horizontal line placed underneath something

Synonyms

Verb

• accentuate
• bring out
• emphasize
• italicize
• stress
• underscore

Examples of underline in a Sentence

Verb

His name was underlined in the book.

The accident underlines our need for better safety procedures.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Another stat underlines the frustration, Chatzky says. —Byalicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2024

All of the companies that have made the cut this year have reported at least $100 million in revenue—underlining how this is the definitive ranking of LGBTQ+ business leaders. —Sydney Lake, Fortune Europe, 18 Sep. 2024

Noun

The spellcheck feature in Notepad is almost identical to how Word or Edge highlight misspelled words, with a red underline to clearly show mistakes. —Tom Warren, The Verge, 8 July 2024

The ceremony put an underline on a legislative session that featured state policymakers looking again and again to the state surplus to flatten inequalities. —Nick Coltrain, The Denver Post, 1 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1721, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

underline

verb

un·​der·​line

ˈən-dər-ˌlīn,

ˌən-dər-ˈlīn

1

: to draw a line under : underscore

2

: emphasize

underline

ˈən-dər-ˌlīn

noun