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View synonyms for

underlie

[ uhn-der-lahy ]

verb (used with object)

underlay, underlain, underlying.
  1. to lie under or beneath; be situated under.
  2. to be at the basis of; form the foundation of.
  3. Grammar. to function as the root morpheme or original or basic form of (a derived form):

    The form “boy” underlies “boyish.”

  4. Finance. to be primary to another right or security.


underlie

/ ˌʌԻəˈɪ /

verb

  1. to lie or be placed under or beneath
  2. to be the foundation, cause, or basis of

    careful planning underlies all our decisions

  3. finance to take priority over (another claim, liability, mortgage, etc)

    a first mortgage underlies a second

  4. to be the root or stem from which (a word) is derived

    "happy" underlies "happiest"

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈܲԻˌ, noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of underlie1

before 900; Middle English underlyen (v.), Old English underlicgan. See under-, lie 2
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"The underlying motive for the shooting remains unknown," Judge Sarah Whitehouse KC said.

From

This is the basic understanding that underlies deep learning models used in AI.

From

He "lost a really significant portion of his upper lip - the skin and some of the underlying muscle - and also his lower lip," he said.

From

Russia insisted on a number of conditions, including a halt to Ukraine re-arming and recruiting new fighters as well as "underlying causes of the conflict".

From

It predicts underlying retail profit will tick down by around £36m over the year.

From

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