underlying

adjective

un·​der·​ly·​ing ˌən-dər-ˈlī-iŋ 

1

a

: lying beneath or below

the underlying rock is shale

b

: basic, fundamental

an investigation of the underlying issues

2

: evident only on close inspection : implicit

3

: anterior and prior in claim

underlying mortgage

4

: of or being present in deep structure

underlying word order

Synonyms

• abecedarian
• basal
• basic
• beginning
• elemental
• elementary
• essential
• fundamental
• introductory
• meat-and-potatoes
• rudimental
• rudimentary

Examples of underlying in a Sentence

the ocean and the underlying rock

the underlying differences between democracy and dictatorship

Recent Examples on the Web

Google urged the Supreme Court to reject South Carolina's request for emergency relief, arguing that halting the parks department's compliance with the subpoena would harm the tech company's interests in the underlying antitrust lawsuit. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 23 Oct. 2024

In a partnership with the national charity organization, Feeding America, the underlying theme is to spread joy and appreciation by finding a way to uplift at least one person. —Marc Berman, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

There is also an underlying distribution of wage growth. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2024

Market turbulence and contagion is a key risk if underlying inflation remains stubborn — a crucial risk to low-income countries that are already under stress from high sovereign debt and currency market volatility. —Hakyung Kim, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

underlying

adjective

un·​der·​ly·​ing ˌən-dər-ˌlī-iŋ 

1

: lying under or below

the underlying rock

2

: fundamental entry 1 sense 1

Medical Definition

underlying

adjective

un·​der·​ly·​ing -ˌlī-iŋ 

: serving as a basis or cause (as of secondary symptoms)

the underlying brain malformation that caused the hydrocephalus

—R. M. Henig