underly Meaning & Definition
What Does Underly Mean?
As an adjective, underly means Poor; inferior. As an adverb, it means At a lower level. As a verb, it means Nonstandard spelling of underlie.
Word Facts for Underly
| Part of speech | adjective, adverb, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈʌndə(ɹ)li// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Comparative / superlative | more underly, most underly |
| Verb forms | underlies, underlying, underlay, underlain |
Underly Definition (Adjective)
- Poor; inferior.
Underly as an Adverb
- At a lower level.
- In an inferior or inadequate manner; insufficiently (chiefly in opposition to overly).
Underly as a Verb
- Nonstandard spelling of underlie.
Synonyms of Underly
The source does not list synonyms for this entry.
Underly synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Underly
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Underly in a Sentence
No example sentences are available for this entry.
Word Forms & Grammar
underly (comparative more underly, superlative most underly)
underly (third-person singular simple present underlies, present participle underlying, simple past underlay, past participle underlain)
Words That Rhyme With Underly
Origin of Underly
Origin 1: From under + -ly.
Origin 2: Back-formation from underlying.
How Do You Say Underly?
Underly is pronounced //ˈʌndə(ɹ)li// and has 1 syllable.
Common Questions About Underly
Is underly an adjective or an adverb?
Underly is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as an adverb and a verb.
What is the past tense of underly?
The past tense of underly is underlay and the past participle is underlain. The present participle is underlying.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of underly?
The comparative form is more underly and the superlative form is most underly.