underlie

verb

USun-dur-LY/ˌʌn.dɚˈlaɪ/Sayun-duh-LYUK/ˌʌn.dəˈlaɪ/AUS/ˌan.dəˈlɑɪ/

4 meanings of underlie

1
verbtransitive
To be the real reason or cause behind something.
Like the hidden base under a building that holds it all up.
Money worries underlie much of the public's anger.
A deep mistrust underlies their every disagreement.
Similarunderpin
Note
2
verbtransitive
To be located directly under something else.
Like the solid ground hidden under a layer of grass.
Layers of rock underlie the whole valley.
A bed of sand underlies the building's foundation.
Oppositeoverlie
Note
3
verbintransitive
To sit directly below something, with nothing in between.
The clay layers underlie close to the surface.
Where the gravel underlies, rainwater tends to collect.
Oppositeoverlie
Note
4
verbtransitive
To be open to something, such as a charge or challenge that you must answer.
Note

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From Old English underlicgan, meaning to lie under or be subject to. It is made from under- plus lie.