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- Dictionaryunderlying/ʌndəˈlʌɪɪŋ/
verb
- 1. present participle of underlie
adjective
- 1. significant as a cause or basis of something but not necessarily manifest or obvious: "the flu can be particularly severe for the elderly and those with underlying conditions" Similar Opposite
- 2. lying or situated under something: "the underlying muscles of the face"
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UNDERLYING definition: 1. real but not immediately obvious: 2. used to describe something on which something else is…. Learn more.
The meaning of UNDERLYING is lying beneath or below. How to use underlying in a sentence.
The obvious meaning of underlying refers to something beneath something else. But the word carries a more subtle meaning, that of something hidden but important, something that shapes the meaning or effect of something else, without being explicit itself.
important in a situation but not always easily noticed or stated clearly. The underlying assumption is that the amount of money available is limited. Unemployment may be an underlying cause of the rising crime rate. Extra Examples. Despite this month's disappointing figures, the underlying trend is healthy.
adj. 1. Lying under or beneath something: underlying strata. 2. Basic; fundamental: the underlying cause of the problem. 3. Present but not readily noticeable: an underlying meaning. 4. Taking precedence; prior: an underlying claim to compensation. American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
Really there but not easily seen or noticed. An underlying trend. Webster's New World. Present but not readily noticeable. An underlying meaning. American Heritage. Taking precedence; prior. An underlying claim to compensation. American Heritage.
un•der•ly•ing (un′ dər lī′ing), adj. lying or situated beneath, as a substratum. fundamental; basic: the underlying cause of their discontent. implicit; discoverable only by close scrutiny or analysis: an underlying seriousness in his witticisms. Business (of a claim, mortgage, etc.) taking precedence;
The underlying meaning of a text or statement is the deeper or hidden message or intention that underlies the surface level of communication. In the context of technology, underlying software or infrastructure refers to the fundamental system or framework on which applications or programs are built.
Definitions of 'underlying'. 1. The underlying features of an object, event, or situation are not obvious, and it may be difficult to discover or reveal them. [...] 2. You describe something as underlying when it is below the surface of something else. [...] 3. See also underlie.
"underlying" is a correct and commonly used word in written English. You can use it to refer to something that is the basis or cause of something else, but which is not apparent or easily perceived. For example, "The underlying reason for his poor performance was his lack of confidence.".
