underground

³un·der·ground

adj \ˈən-dər-ˌgrau̇nd\

Definition of UNDERGROUND

1

: being, growing, operating, or situated below the surface of the ground

2

: conducted by secret means

3

a : existing outside the establishment <an underground literary reputation> b : existing outside the purview of tax collectors or statisticians <the underground economy>

4

a : produced or published outside the establishment especially by the avant-garde <underground movies> <underground newspapers> b : of or relating to the avant-garde underground <an underground moviemaker> <an underground theater>

Examples of UNDERGROUND

1. The drugs are supplied through an underground network.
2. She loves the city's underground music scene.

First Known Use of UNDERGROUND

1601

Related to UNDERGROUND

Synonyms: backstairs, behind-the-scenes, clandestine, covert, furtive, hole-and-corner, hugger-mugger, hush-hush, private, privy, sneak, sneaking, sneaky, stealth, stealthy, surreptitious, undercover, secret, underhand, underhanded

Antonyms: open, overt, public

Related Words: back-channel, closed-door, off-the-books, off-the-record; classified, confidential, restricted, top secret, undisclosed; concealed, hidden, secreted, subterranean, unadvertised, unexposed

Near Antonyms: acknowledged, avowed; aboveboard, straightforward, unconcealed, undisguised; unclassified, unrestricted; clear, evident, manifest, obvious, patent, plain

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale