underground

13 synonyms and 2 antonyms for underground, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adjective — Located beneath the surface of the ground.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

buried secret tube resistance

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

covert clandestine undercover subway metro

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

subterranean sunken belowground surreptitious

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adjective

Located beneath the surface of the ground.

“The city has an extensive underground parking system.”

subterranean buried sunken covert clandestine belowground secret undercover surreptitious

2. adjective

Hidden from public view or authority; secretive.

“The rebels ran an underground network to smuggle supplies.”

Opposites

overt

3. adjective

Relating to art, music, or culture outside the mainstream.

“She got her start in the underground music scene.”

Opposites

mainstream

4. noun

A subway or train system running below street level, especially in London.

“We took the Underground to get to the museum.”

tube subway resistance metro

How to use underground

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

underground railway underground music go underground

Etymology

From Middle English undergrounde, from under + ground.

Full origin of underground →

Frequently asked questions

What does “underground” mean?

The word “underground” means located beneath the surface of the ground. In plain terms, below the surface, or by extension, hidden from mainstream view — whether that's a resistance movement or an art scene.

How do you pronounce “underground”?

“Underground” is pronounced uhn-duh-GROWND (/ˌʌn.dəɹˈɡɹaʊnd/ in IPA).

How do you use “underground” in a sentence?

Here is “underground” used in a sentence: “The city has an extensive underground parking system.”

What part of speech is “underground”?

Depending on how it is used, “underground” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “underground” come from?

The word “underground” comes from Middle English. From Middle English undergrounde, from under + ground.

Is “underground” a common word?

“Underground” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “underground” have?

“Underground” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: located beneath the surface of the ground.

What is the difference between underground and subterranean?

Both words describe something located beneath the surface of the ground, but subterranean is more formal and technical, often used in scientific or geological contexts. Underground is the everyday term and can also carry the extra meaning of something hidden or secretive, which subterranean does not.

When does underground mean secret rather than beneath the ground?

Underground means secret or hidden from public view or authority when it describes activity, movements, or people operating outside official channels, as in an underground resistance or underground press. The literal meaning of beneath the surface applies to physical locations such as an underground tunnel or car park.

Can underground be used as a noun or an adverb?

Yes. Besides being an adjective, underground works as a noun for a secret organization or, in British English, for a subway system such as the London Underground. As an adverb it describes movement or position below the surface, as in the pipes run underground.

People also searched

secret resistance buried tube mainstream metro subway undercover covert clandestine overt sunken

Nearby words

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