Subterranean meaning

sŭbtə-rānē-ən
The definition of subterranean is something that is under the earth's surface, or that is secret or concealed.

An example of subterranean is a cave that is underneath the earth.

An example of subterranean is a secret behind-the-scenes group that is in control of the book publishing industry.

adjective
4
2
Hidden; secret.

Subterranean motives for murder.

adjective
3
1
Secret; hidden.
adjective
3
1
Situated or operating beneath the earth's surface; underground.
adjective
2
4
Lying beneath the earth's surface; underground.
adjective
1
3
Advertisement
One who lives underground.
noun
0
1
Below ground, under the earth, underground.
adjective
0
1

Origin of subterranean

  • Latin subterrāneus sub- sub- terra earth ters- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Subterranean Sentence Examples

  • Many of the lakes are connected by subterranean channels, and a change in the surface of one lake is often accompanied by a change in the surface of another.

  • Near Fasano are two small subterranean chapels with paintings of the 11th century A.D.

  • Hadrian took from masters the power of life and death and abolished the subterranean prisons.

  • The so-called Labyrinth, near the ruins of Gortyna, was a subterranean quarry from which the city was built.

  • The city was laid out as a gridiron of parallel streets, each of which had an attendant subterranean canal.

More sentences →

Related articles

Words near subterranean in the Dictionary