undergo

verb

un·​der·​go ˌən-dər-ˈgō 

underwent ˌən-dər-ˈwent  ; undergone ˌən-dər-ˈgȯn 

also -ˈgän

; undergoing ˌən-dər-ˈgō-iŋ 

-ˈgȯ(-)iŋ

; undergoes

ˌən-dər-ˈgōz

transitive verb

1

: to submit to : endure

2

: to go through : experience

undergo a transformation

3

obsolete : undertake

4

obsolete : to partake of

Synonyms of undergo

• endure
• experience
• have
• see

Examples of undergo in a Sentence

She will have to undergo an operation.

some people undergo a complete transformation while away at college

Recent Examples on the Web

His 1,170 1/3 innings entering Tuesday’s start are tied for 12th most in that span despite only throwing 34 innings across six starts in that initial season and missing the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026

Speaking during a meeting of the Workers' Party's Central Committee on Monday, Kim said the navy would undergo changes to its status, role and scope of operations. —Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026

Vitello said Arraez underwent an X-ray on his foot that came back clean. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 June 2026

But even this species showed signs of direct development, with gradually ossifying bones rather than undergoing an abrupt, amphibian-like metamorphosis. —Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 23 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for undergo

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

undergo

verb

un·​der·​go ˌən-dər-ˈgō 

underwent

-ˈwent

; undergone -ˈgȯn 

also -ˈgän

; undergoing -ˈgō-iŋ 

1

: endure sense 2

undergo an operation

2

: to pass through : experience

undergoing a change