underlying Hear it!

underlying Definition

under·ly·ing (-lī′iŋ)

adjective

  1. lying under; placed beneath
  2. fundamental; basic the underlying cause
  3. really there but not easily seen or noticed an underlying trend
  4. Finance having priority, as a claim

underlying Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • assumption: I have therefore examined the underlying assumptions made by both sides.
  • principle: The underlying principle should always be, however, to ' get it right first time ' .
  • geology: Topsoil depth can depend on many things, from underlying geology to what the ground is used for.
  • cause: They fail to address the underlying cause of violence.
  • philosophy: What is the underlying philosophy that guides our work?
  • pathology: The lesions enable you to identify the underlying pathology, helping to make your differentials more precise.

Modifying Another Word

  • always: Other books added a more specific agenda to the always underlying Evangelicalism.