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

Most recently, data on Friday featured an underlying inflation gauge that unexpectedly rose in May for the first time in a year. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 2 June 2024

But Bourke, the agency spokesman, said regulations limit automatic extensions to employment authorization categories that don’t require processing an underlying application. —Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024

Patients suffering from underlying conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, may not have access to their doctor or a health care provider -- or hospitals may be offline -- due to the landslide. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 29 May 2024

Fundamentally, the case poses the same underlying issue as the Upland case: What, if any, constraints should be placed on using the initiative process to make changes in law — even the state Constitution? —Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 28 May 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