under-
Prefix meaning below
Under- is a prefix indicating position below (underground, underwater), insufficiency (underpaid, undercooked), or subordinate status (undersecretary).
It attaches productively to verbs, nouns, and adjectives: The steak was undercooked.
She felt undervalued at work.
Under- often contrasts with over-: underestimate versus overestimate, underfunded versus overfunded.
Insufficiently financially supported
- understaffedInsufficient employees for workload
- underpaidGiven inadequate wages
- undervaluedRated below true worth
- underequippedLacking necessary tools or resources
underserved · undernourished · underweight · underpowered · underperforming · underrepresented · underutilized · underqualified
In a lower position
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- underfootBeneath one's feet
- underseaBeneath ocean surface
- underworldRealm of the departed
underbelly · undercarriage · underpass · underfloor · underlayer · underside · undergrowth · undercurrent
Person of lower rank
- understudyBackup actor, ready nightly
- undersecretaryDeputy to department head
- undergraduateDegree-seeking college student
- underclassLowest socioeconomic group
Secretly engaged in espionage
- underlyingExisting beneath the surface
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
- undertoneSubdued background quality
- undercurrentFlow beneath the surface
Be subjected to
- undertakeBegin a task formally
- underwriteAssume financial liability
- underpinSupport from below
- underlineLine beneath text
underscore · undercut · undermine · understand · underwhelm · underbid · undersell · understate
underfunded
Insufficiently financially supported
- understaffedInsufficient employees for workload
- underpaidGiven inadequate wages
- undervaluedRated below true worth
underequipped · underserved · undernourished · underweight · underpowered · underperforming · underrepresented · underutilized · underqualified · underdeveloped
beneath
In a lower position
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- underfootBeneath one's feet
- underseaBeneath ocean surface
underworld · underbelly · undercarriage · underpass · underfloor · underlayer · underside · undergrowth · undercurrent · underbrush
underling
Person of lower rank
- understudyBackup actor, ready nightly
- undersecretaryDeputy to department head
- undergraduateDegree-seeking college student
undercover
Secretly engaged in espionage
- underlyingExisting beneath the surface
- underhandedSecretly dishonest or unfair
- undertoneSubdued background quality
undercurrent · understatement · underthought · underplot · understory
undergo
Be subjected to
- undertakeBegin a task formally
- underwriteAssume financial liability
- underpinSupport from below
underline · underscore · undercut · undermine · understand · underwhelm · underbid · undersell · understate · underachieve
- under the weatherMildly sick or unwell
- under arrestHeld by authorities
- under suspicionRegarded as possibly guilty
- under pressureExperiencing duress or stress
- under the bedSpace below sleeping surface
- under controlBeing successfully managed