underlying

🇺🇸 /ˌʌndərˈlaɪɪŋ/ 🇬🇧 /ˌʌndəˈlaɪɪŋ/
Frequency
Difficulty
Tags TOP10000Oxford5000CEFR-C2
adjective
C1

A hidden but important reason or cause.

Stress is the underlying reason for many health problems.

R

Located beneath something else.

The underlying soil must be strong for building.

translation

adj. A hidden but important reason or cause.; Located beneath something else.