underlying

1 of 2

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

underlying

2 of 2

present participle of underlie

Synonyms of underlying

Adjective

• basic
• rudimentary
• elementary
• fundamental
• introductory

Examples of underlying in a Sentence

Adjective

the ocean and the underlying rock

the underlying differences between democracy and dictatorship

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But by the time the score declines, the opportunity to correct the underlying problem may already have narrowed. — Allison Mais, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026

And when official communications from the White House and federal agencies are equal parts tough talk, trolling and cringe, the underlying policies can get lost in the shuffle. — Matthew N. Hannah, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026

Instead, the cursor task served as a test of the underlying control interface. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026

More than 111,000 options traded on Hyperliquid Strategies Thursday, more than six times the 30-day average, as underlying shares surged 19% to the highest in three weeks. — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for underlying

• applying
• belying
• complying
• decrying
• defying
• denying
• implying
• outlying
• relying
• replying
• supplying
• undying

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