# underline

/ˈəndɝˌɫaɪn/ (US) · CEFR B1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/underline
Updated: 2026-05-29

## Definition

to draw a line under a word or phrase to show it is important. You can do this with a pen or a keyboard.

For teachers: to draw a line beneath a word or phrase to indicate emphasis or to highlight a specific point.

## Examples

- Please underline the most important words in the text.
- The teacher asked the students to underline any unfamiliar vocabulary in the chapter to help with their study.
- By underlining the key arguments in the report, the committee ensured that the executive board would immediately recognize the most critical points during the presentation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.