Subterranean
adj, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 Someone or something that is subterranean.
"[H]e continues Lean like a Hawke or Heron, notwith ſtanding his devouring Appetite: yet it would ſeem that they convey that ſubſtance elſewhere, for theſe Subterraneans eat but little in their Dwellings; […]"
- 1 Below ground, under the earth, underground. not-comparable
"Again the bearers took up the coffin, and cold and damp the subterranean air came from the opened vault. The tapers were lowered, and shed a ghastly light on the rows of piled coffins, and the moisture glittering on the walls."
- 2 Secret, concealed. broadly, not-comparable
"The subterranean tool of buying rigged opinion polling and media coverage is outlined in remarkable detail in chat exchanges recovered from the cellphone of one of Mr. Kurz’s closest allies and friends, Thomas Schmid."
- 1 lying beyond what is openly revealed or avowed (especially being kept in the background or deliberately concealed) wordnet
- 2 being or operating under the surface of the earth wordnet
Example
More examples"Yanni visited a subterranean tunnel."
Etymology
From Latin subterrāneus + -an. Compare subterrane and subterraneous.
Related phrases
More for "subterranean"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.