C1verbformalacademicscience
US/ˌʌn.dərˈlaɪ/
UK/ˌʌn.dəˈlaɪ/
to be the real cause or basic reason for something, often hidden
In context
Poverty underlies many of the health problems in the area.
The same idea underlies all of her books.
Doctors are trying to find the cause that underlies his headaches.
Words that go with underlie
verb + noun
- underlie the problemSeveral factors underlie the problem.
- underlie the decisionFear of change seemed to underlie the decision.
adjective + noun
- underlying causeWe need to find the underlying cause.
- underlying reasonWhat is the underlying reason for his anger?
- underlying problemPainkillers do not fix the underlying problem.