underground

A2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˌʌn.dəɹˈɡɹaʊnd/ UK /ˌʌn.dəˈɡɹaʊnd/ See IPA manual

Freq #3145

Meanings

1

adj
Below the surface of the ground.

There is an underground tunnel that goes across the river.
2

adv
Below the surface of the ground.

The pipes run underground for several miles.
3

noun
A city railway system that runs below the ground.

In London the train system is called the underground.
4

adj
Secret or hidden, especially from the authorities.

These criminals operate through an underground network.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · below the surface of the... subterranean

2 adv · below the surface of the... below ground

3 noun · a city railway system that... subway metro tube

4 adj · secret or hidden,... clandestine covert alternative

Word family

Forms undergrounds

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

underground station
a metro or subway station located below ground level

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From Middle English undergrounde (adverb), equivalent to under + ground or under- + ground. Compare Dutch ondergrond, ondergronds, German Untergrund, Danish undergrunds.

undergrounde Middle English

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

# underground

**Type:** Word
**Level:** A2
**Part of speech:** adj, adv, noun
**IPA (US):** /ˌʌn.dəɹˈɡɹaʊnd/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌʌn.dəˈɡɹaʊnd/
**Frequency rank:** 3145

## Meanings
1. Below the surface of the ground.
2. Below the surface of the ground.
3. A city railway system that runs below the ground.
4. Secret or hidden, especially from the authorities.

## Examples
- There is an underground tunnel that goes across the river.
- The pipes run underground for several miles.
- In London the train system is called the underground.
- These criminals operate through an underground network.

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: undergrounde
- Affix: under- - below

## Etymology
From Middle English undergrounde (adverb), equivalent to under + ground or under- + ground. Compare Dutch ondergrond, ondergronds, German Untergrund, Danish undergrunds.

## AI Etymology
Underground is from Middle English undergrounde (adverb), equivalent to under + ground or under- + ground. Compare Dutch ondergrond, ondergronds, German Untergrund, Danish undergrunds. The historical line also includes Middle English undergrounde. In present-day use, it can mean below the surface of the ground, or a city railway system that runs below the ground.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities

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