underwater

comparative more underwater · superlative most underwater · alternative under water · alternative under-water

1. not comparableBeneath the surface of the water; of or pertaining to the region beneath the water surface.

   Watch out for underwater obstacles.

   2 more examples

   He was a pioneer in underwater exploration.

   The Chungsha group, also known as Macclesfield Bank, just southeast of the Sisha, consists merely of a group of underwater reefs and sandbanks.

   1956, Theodore Shabad, “The Kwangtung-Kwangsi Hills”, in China's Changing Map: A Political and Economic Geography of the Chinese People's Republic, New York: Frederick A. Praeger, →LCCN, →OCLC, →OL, page 169

   Synonyms: subaqueous, subaquatic, submarine

2. nauticalBeneath the water line of a vessel.

   When the ship was brought into dry dock, it was found that she had underwater damage.

3. figurativelyIn difficulty, especially financially.

   Antonyms: above water, solvent, in the black

4. businessHaving negative equity; owing more on an asset than its market value.

   We've been underwater on our mortgage ever since the housing crash.

   1 more example

   You're underwater. The best thing you can do is just walk away. Let the bank take it back.

   2013 May 13, Underwater (Bates Motel), episode 9 (Television), spoken by Matt Bronstein (Matthew MacCaull), via A&E

   Synonyms: upside down

5. businessOf an option, having a strike price higher (call options) or lower (put options) than the current market price of the underlying asset or financial product; for example, an option to buy shares at $20 when the current market price is $15.

comparative more underwater · superlative most underwater · alternative under water · alternative under-water

1. So as to go beneath the surface of the water.

   Can you swim underwater?

plural underwaters · alternative under water · alternative under-water

1. Underlying water or body of water, for example in an aquifer or the deep ocean.
2. fishingA type of lure which lies beneath the water surface.

   Practically all wobbling underwaters will take fish aplenty in the hands of a man who really knows how to put them through their stints.

   1923, Sheridan R. Jones, Bait Casting: The Short Rod and How to Use It, page 57

present singular third person underwaters · participle present underwatering · participle past underwatered · past underwatered · alternative under-water · alternative under water · alternative under-water

1. transitiveagricultureTo water or irrigate insufficiently.

   Care must be taken not to underwater houseplants in the summer.

   1 more example

   If your plant is wilting, this could be another sign of overwatering or underwatering.

   2021 July 22, “Is Your Plant Overwatered or Underwatered?”, in Sustained Kitchen