underlie

verb

un·​der·​lie ˌən-dər-ˈlī 

underlay ˌən-dər-ˈlā  ; underlain ˌən-dər-ˈlān  ; underlying ˌən-dər-ˈlī-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to lie or be situated under

2

: to be at the basis of : form the foundation of : support

ideas underlying the revolution

3

: to exist as a claim or security superior and prior to (another)

4

archaic : to be subject or amenable to

Examples of underlie in a Sentence

A tile floor underlies the rug.

The river is underlain by limestone.

We discussed the principles that underlay their methods.

A theme of revenge underlies much of her writing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Harwood said the legislation requires the cause of death to be listed as the patient’s underlying terminal illness, not the ingestion of life-ending medication. —Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 4 Dec. 2025

These parallels suggest that while China’s situation is receiving attention now, the underlying pressures are part of a global academic scene that has become increasingly demanding and, for many, unsustainable. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Dec. 2025

However, underlying fears about the shape of market continue to fester. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 4 Dec. 2025

The consensus is pretty comfortable with the S & P 500 mostly holding its elevated P/E, with 13%-14% earnings growth, fat profit margins and a boost to the underlying economy allowing cyclical stocks to play more catch up. —Michael Santoli, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Rhymes for underlie

• apply
• awry
• belie
• bely
• bigeye
• bonsai
• buckeye
• comply
• coxae
• decry
• defy
• deny

Kids Definition

underlie

verb

un·​der·​lie ˌən-dər-ˈlī 

underlay -ˈlā  ; underlain -ˈlān  ; underlying -ˈlī-iŋ 

1

: to lie or be located under

2

: to form the foundation of : support

ideas underlying the revolt