adjective
underhand
UHN-duh-and
Underhand (adjective) means Dishonest or sneaky, done secretly. Example: “His underhand tactics eventually cost him his job.”
adjective
1
Dishonest or sneaky, done secretly.
"His underhand tactics eventually cost him his job."
2
Thrown with the hand moving upward from below shoulder height.
"She switched to an underhand serve to confuse her opponent."
How to use underhand
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither sneaky and dishonest, or (in sports) thrown with an upward, below-the-shoulder motion.
Common pairings
underhand tactics
underhand throw
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Word forms
- Plural
- underhands
- Third person singular
- underhands
- Past tense
- underhanded
- Comparative
- more underhand
- Superlative
- most underhand
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His _____ tactics eventually cost him his job.
Etymology
From under + hand.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “underhand” mean?
The word “underhand” means dishonest or sneaky, done secretly. In plain terms, either sneaky and dishonest, or (in sports) thrown with an upward, below-the-shoulder motion.
How do you pronounce “underhand”?
“Underhand” is pronounced UHN-duh-and (/ˈʌn.də(ɹ)ˌ(h)ænd/ in IPA).
How do you use “underhand” in a sentence?
Here is “underhand” used in a sentence: “His underhand tactics eventually cost him his job.”
What is another word for “underhand”?
Words with a similar meaning to “underhand” include underhanded, backdoor and underarm.
What part of speech is “underhand”?
“Underhand” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “underhand” have?
“Underhand” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: dishonest or sneaky, done secretly.
