Oxford Basic American Dictionary

to think that someone or something is smaller, weaker, less important, etc. than they really are Don't underestimate her — she's actually very smart. We underestimated how much food we would need.

—ANTONYM overestimate

un • der • go AWL / |Andsr 'gou / verb ( un - der - goes , un - der - go - ing , un - der - went

/ |Andsr'went / has un - der - gone / |Andsr'gon ; |Andsr' gan / )

to have a difficult or unpleasant experience She is in the hospital undergoing an operation.

un • der • grad • u • ate / |Andsr' grred3ust /

noun [ count ]

a student in college who is studying for their first degree (called a bachelor's degree ) —Look at graduate 1 .

un . der . ground © / Andsrgraund /

adjective

under the ground an underground parking garage ► un • der • ground / |Andsr' graund / adverb Moles spend most of their time underground.

un • der • growth / 'Andsrgroue / noun

[ noncount ]

bushes and other plants that grow under trees There was a path through the undergrowth.

un • der • line / ' Andarlain / ( un - der - lines , un - der - lin - ing , un - der - lined )

to draw a line under a word or words. This sentence is underlined.

un • der • ly • ing |aWl| / Andarlaiyig /

adjective

important but hidden

the underlying cause of the disaster

un • der • neath / iAndar' ni6 / preposition, adverb

under or below something The dog sat underneath the table.

She wore a black jacket with a red sweater underneath.

un • der • pants / 'Andarprents / noun [ plural ]

a piece of clothing that men or women wear under pants, a skirt, etc.

un • der • pass / ' Andarpres / noun [ count ] ( plural un - der - pass .es )

a road or path that goes under another road

—Look at overpass .

un • der • shirt / ' Andarjbrt/ noun [ count ]

a piece of clothing that you wear under your other clothes on the top part of your body

un .der .stand © / iAndar strend / verb

( un - der - stands , un - der - stand ing ,

un - der - stood / iAndar' stud / has un - der - stoo< )

1 to know what something means or why something happens

I didn't understand what the teacher said. He doesn't understand Spanish.

don't understand why you're so angry.

( formal ) to know something because someone has told you about it

I understand that you would like to see the manager. —SYNONYM believe

make yourself understood

to make people understand you

My Italian isn't very good, but I can usually make myself understood.

un • der • stand • ing 1 / iAndar ' strendig /

noun [ noncount , singular ]

knowing about something

He has a good understanding of computers.

un • der • stand • ing 2 / iAndar ' strendig /

adjective

ready to listen to other people's problems and try to understand them

My parents are very understanding. —SYNONYM sympathetic

un • der • state • ment / Andarsteitmant /

noun [ count ]

something you say that makes something seem less important, large, etc. than it really is

It would be an understatement to say the Sahara Desert is hot.

un • der • stood

form of understand

un • der • tak • er / Andarteikar / noun [count]