Dictionary

underly en · ADJ · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /ˈʌndə(ɹ)li/

Etymology

From under + -ly.

Meanings

1. (dialectal) Poor; inferior.

Forms

underly en · ADV · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /ˈʌndə(ɹ)li/

Etymology

From under + -ly.

Meanings

1. (obsolete, rare) At a lower level.
   • The Seed-Branch […] is presently divided into two main Branches, and those two into other less; whereof some underly, others aloft, run along the Coat. 1672, Nehemiah Grew, The anatomy of vegetables begun:
2. (colloquial) In an inferior or inadequate manner; insufficiently (chiefly in opposition to overly).
   • Better to struggle claustrophobically from the grasp of an overly adoring parent than to fall serially in love with emotionally cruel or distant partners, which is what everyone with underly adoring parents always does. 2016 July 3, Victoria Coren Mitchell, The Observer:
   • In this case, we are not in a position—at least from the perspective of the rules themselves and the values that lie behind them—to say that they are overly or underly inclusive. 2000, William C. Heffernan, John Kleinig, From Social Justice to Criminal Justice, page 109:
   • Overly madeup and underly dressed young women were dancing in a cluster on the floor. 2014, Jass Richards, Licence to Do That:

Forms

underly en · VERB · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• /ˌʌndə(ɹ)ˈlaɪ/

Etymology

Back-formation from underlying.

Meanings

1. (alt-of, nonstandard) Nonstandard spelling of underlie.
   alt of underlie
   • I asked him what principles he felt should underly the care provided during such a voyage. 1967, R. D. Laing, The Politics of Experience and the Bird of Paradise:

Forms

Relateds

underlied