WordGarden.iounderwater
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌʌndəwˈɔːtə/
US
- /ˈəndərˌwɔtər/
Meanings
Adjective
below the surface of water or happening there
owing more on an asset than it is worth
Adverb
below the surface of water
Beyond the definition
“Underwater” describes anything happening below the surface of water, whether that is in the ocean, a lake, a pool, or even a bathtub. It does not just mean wet. It means being under the water itself, in a place that is partly hidden from view. You might picture a diver moving past coral reefs or a submarine traveling quietly below the waves.
The word can be an adjective, as in “underwater photography,” or an adverb, as in “He swam underwater for as long as he could.” It is also used in a figurative way, especially about money. If someone is underwater on a house, they owe more money on it than it is worth. In everyday speech, it can also suggest feeling buried by problems or pressure.
“Underwater” refers to anything situated, happening, or existing beneath the surface of water. This can describe many settings, from shallow tide pools full of life to the deep, dark parts of the ocean. It is not just about being in water for a moment. It describes being below the surface, where movement, light, sound, and pressure can all feel different from life above the water.
The term appears often in marine biology, exploration, technology, and recreation. We talk about underwater ecosystems, underwater caves, underwater robots, and underwater diving. The word can bring to mind coral reefs, shipwrecks, fish, and the quiet world below the waves.
However, “underwater” is not limited to literal places. It is also used metaphorically to describe feeling overwhelmed or out of control: “With the new project deadline, she felt completely underwater.” In modern English, it also has a clear financial meaning. An underwater mortgage is one in which the homeowner owes more than the home is worth.
People have long been fascinated by the underwater world. From ancient divers collecting sponges to modern scientists studying the oceans, we have always wanted to know what lies beneath the waves. Whether you are describing a physical place, a type of activity, or a difficult financial situation, “underwater” points to something below the surface, sometimes literally and sometimes figuratively.
Examples
- 1
Swimming
The children practiced swimming underwater in the shallow end.
- 2
Equipment
She bought an underwater camera for her snorkeling trip.
- 3
Flooding
After two days of rain, several streets were still underwater.
- 4
Technical work
Scientists are testing a robot that can repair underwater cables.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Mortgage debt
When house prices fell, many homeowners were underwater on their mortgages.
- Patternbe underwater on a mortgage
owe more than the home is worth
See also
Similar
- submerged
- subaqueous
Shades of meaning
- undersea
- subaquatic
Contrast
- above water
- terrestrial
Used with (collocations)
- underwater camera
- underwater diving
- underwater habitat
- underwater photography
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- underwateradjectiveadverb