underlie

verb

un·​der·​lie ˌən-dər-ˈlī 

underlay ˌən-dər-ˈlā  ; underlain ˌən-dər-ˈlān  ; underlying ˌən-dər-ˈlī-iŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to lie or be situated under

2

: to be at the basis of : form the foundation of : support

ideas underlying the revolution

3

: to exist as a claim or security superior and prior to (another)

4

archaic : to be subject or amenable to

Examples of underlie in a Sentence

A tile floor underlies the rug.

The river is underlain by limestone.

We discussed the principles that underlay their methods.

A theme of revenge underlies much of her writing.

Recent Examples on the Web

The energy company posted underlying replacement cost profit, used as a proxy for net profit, of $2.3 billion for the July-September period. —Karen Gilchrist,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2024

The company’s underlying replacement cost profit excluding exceptional items — a measure of operating earnings — came in at $2.3 billion, down more than $1 billion from a year earlier. —Afp, Fortune Europe, 29 Oct. 2024

What Caused the Salem Witch Trials? Vicki Saxon October 27, 2015 Looking into the underlying causes of the Salem Witch Trials in the 17th century. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 28 Oct. 2024

That’s great news for the populations most at risk of serious RSV infections, which include infants younger than six months, some young children, adults 60 to 74 with underlying medical conditions, and all adults 75 and older. —Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Kids Definition

underlie

verb

un·​der·​lie ˌən-dər-ˈlī 

underlay -ˈlā  ; underlain -ˈlān  ; underlying -ˈlī-iŋ 

1

: to lie or be located under

2

: to form the foundation of : support

ideas underlying the revolt