underbite

noun

un·​der·​bite ˈən-dər-ˌbīt How to pronounce underbite (audio)
plural underbites
: malocclusion in which the lower jaw and front teeth project beyond the upper front teeth : prognathism involving the lower jaw
Three years ago, Jack, a small Chihuahua mix with an endearing underbite and a lust for attention, was dropped off at the Haven Animal Care Shelter.Natalie Gross
… had braces to straighten his own teeth and surgery to correct a severe underbite, ….Jean P. Fisher
compare overbite

Examples of underbite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Holland’s son, now 13, has only a minor underbite after orthodontics and likely won’t need jaw surgery at all. Megan Rose, ProPublica, 6 Mar. 2024 The remaining kitty – a fluffy gray shorthair with a hilarious underbite – seemed less interested in Sheeran and more a fan of its food bowl. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 31 Jan. 2024 Rose Parade rain: In the Dec. 27 California section, an article about a storm in the forecast and the possibility of rain on the Rose Parade identified one of the dogs riding on the Pasadena Humane Society’s parade float as a shiba inu with an underbite. Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2023 The alligator’s upper snout ended just below its eyes, leaving its mouth perpetually open and the lower half of its jaw jutting forward like an eerie underbite. Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2023 Tylor is a monster — the kind with horns, claws and an underbite that would be an English bulldog’s envy — but a monster who finds himself in singularly human, and ultimately singularly comic, circumstances. New York Times, 6 July 2021 Piper, 1 Piper and her adorable underbite bring joy to her owners every day. Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, 1 Sep. 2021 So the team’s designers gave their monster a massive, bulging body and a severe underbite. New York Times, 6 Aug. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underbite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of underbite was in 1887

Dictionary Entries Near underbite

Cite this Entry

“Underbite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underbite. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

underbite

noun
un·​der·​bite ˈən-dər-ˌbīt How to pronounce underbite (audio)
: malocclusion in which the lower jaw and front teeth project beyond the upper front teeth : prognathism involving the lower jaw
… had braces to straighten his own teeth and surgery to correct a severe underbite, as well as whitening.Jean P. Fisher
compare overbite
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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