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

The score also includes a simple melodic theme created by DeWitt, a softly building eight-note melody that acts as the emotional undercurrent of the connection between Poppy and Alex. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2026

Meanwhile, Jupiter retrograde in Cancer pulls the emotional undercurrent in the opposite direction. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

Understanding the the global impact of society’s many shifting plates — from tariffs and trade deals, to political undercurrents and wars — is crucial to keeping sustainable fashion on a positive course. —Bella Webb, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026

An undercurrent of nostalgia weaves throughout his 30-year discography. —Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2026

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