undercurrent

noun

un·​der·​cur·​rent ˈən-dər-ˌkər-ənt 

-ˌkə-rənt

1

: a current below the upper currents or surface

2

: a hidden opinion, feeling, or tendency often contrary to the one publicly shown

All of us, of course, are well aware that there is a strong undercurrent in our industrial societies of … anti-economic growth attitudes.

—Patrick E. Haggerty

undercurrent adjective

Examples of undercurrent in a Sentence

You could be pulled under water by the dangerous undercurrents.

Recent Examples on the Web

Cancer senses emotional undercurrents better than anyone, and family dynamics during the holidays are no exception. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025

The New Yorker is already planning our coverage for a momentous 2026, which will include pivotal midterm elections, the start of Zohran Mamdani’s high-stakes mayoralty, and the athletic feats and political undercurrents of the Winter Olympics and the World Cup. —David Remnick, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025

Before the sun even enters Capricorn, though, there’s an important emotional undercurrent. —Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 21 Dec. 2025

Similar to the coquette aesthetic, the babydoll silhouette leans romantic and retro, with an undercurrent that turns flirtatious once it’s shortened or cut to show a bit of skin. —Malia Griggs, Glamour, 20 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for undercurrent

• countercurrent
• intercurrent
• overcurrent
• photocurrent
• concurrent
• decurrent
• noncurrent
• recurrent
• current

Kids Definition

undercurrent

noun

un·​der·​cur·​rent -ˌkər-ənt 

-ˌkə-rənt

1

: a current below the upper currents or surface

undercurrents of water

2

: a hidden current of opinion or feeling often different from the one openly shown