Underlying - definition of underlying by The Free Dictionary 1 Lying under or beneath something: underlying strata 2 Basic; fundamental: the underlying cause of the problem 3 Present but not readily noticeable: an underlying meaning 4 Taking precedence; prior: an underlying claim to compensation
underlying adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage . . . Definition of underlying adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary important in a situation but not always easily noticed or stated clearly The underlying assumption is that the amount of money available is limited Unemployment may be an underlying cause of the rising crime rate
underlying - WordReference. com Dictionary of English lying beneath something else: an underlying layer of rock basic: an underlying cause that can be discovered only by close analysis or examination: Loyalty is the underlying theme of the story lying or situated beneath, as a substratum basic: the underlying cause of their discontent