# underscore

Pronunciation: US say "UN-der-skor" /ˈʌn.dɚˌskoɹ/; UK say "UN-duh-skor" /ˈʌn.dəˌskɔː(ɹ)/

## Noun

1. A line drawn or printed beneath text, or the character _, commonly used in filenames and code where spaces are not allowed.
   - Simple: A short line placed under written words, or the _ symbol on a keyboard.
   - _The programmer replaced each space in the variable name with an underscore._
   - _Some email addresses contain an underscore between the words._
4. A piece of background music played beneath dialogue or action in film, television, or other media.
   - Simple: Quiet music played behind the action in a film, show, or game.
   - _The composer wrote a tense underscore for the final chase sequence._
   - _Throughout the documentary, a gentle piano underscore supported the narration._

## Verb

Pronunciation: US say "un-der-SKOR" /ˌʌn.dɚˈskɔɹ/; UK say "un-duh-SKOR" /ˌʌn.dəˈskɔː(ɹ)/

2. To emphasize something or draw deliberate attention to its importance.
   - Simple: To make something seem more important by pointing it out clearly.
   - _The report's findings underscore the urgency of reform._
   - _He wanted to underscore the importance of teamwork during the meeting._
3. To draw or print a line beneath a word or passage of text.
   - Simple: To draw a line under written words.
   - _Readers who underscore key sentences in library books leave a mess for the next borrower._
   - _She underscored the heading in red ink before handing in the draft._

## Origin

Formed from the prefix under- combined with score.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/underscore (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).