underlie
To lie in a position directly beneath somethingTo lie in a position directly beneath something.
» We still have to solve the underlying problem.
Meaning
5 senses(intransitive)To lie in a position directly beneath something.
lie underneath
(transitive)To lie under or beneath.
A stratum of clay underlies the surface gravel.
(transitive)To serve as a basis of; form the foundation of.
a doctrine underlying a theory
zugrunde liegen
be or form the base for
(transitive)To be subject to; be liable to answer, as a charge or challenge.
To underlay.
Examples
28 sentencesWe still have to solve the underlying problem.
What reasoning could underlie their latest decision?
We should understand the underlying premises.
A common theme underlies both perspectives.
Limestone underlies most of the site.
deKalkstein liegt unter dem Großteil der Stätte.
Translations
4 languagesBy meaning 1
Origin
From Middle English underlien, underliggen, from Old English underliċġan (“to underlie, toFrom Middle English underlien, underliggen, from Old English underliċġan (“to underlie, to be subject to, give way to”), equivalent to under- + lie. Cognate with Dutch onderliggen (“to lie below, lie on the bottom of”), German unterliegen (“to lie under, be subject to, succumb”).
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
underlies, underlying, underlay, underlainSynonyms
1 synonymsWord family
1 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, irregular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle