Word
underlining
Phoneticsun·der·lin·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈəndɝˌɫaɪnɪŋ/
UK/ˌʌndəlˈaɪnɪŋ/
Definition
v. to draw a line under a word to show it is important, or to emphasize a point you are making. You use this when you want to make sure someone notices a specific detail.
v. to draw a line beneath text for emphasis or to indicate a hyperlink; figuratively, to stress the importance of a statement or fact. Often used in the present participle form to highlight a critical point in an argument.
Examples
“She is underlining the most important words in her notes.”
“The recent drop in sales is underlining the urgent need for a new marketing strategy.”
“By underlining the systemic failures of the previous administration, the report serves as a catalyst for comprehensive legislative reform across the department.”
Examples
simple
“She is underlining the most important words in her notes.”
contextual
“The recent drop in sales is underlining the urgent need for a new marketing strategy.”
complex
“By underlining the systemic failures of the previous administration, the report serves as a catalyst for comprehensive legislative reform across the department.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “underlining” in context.
Verb
01. seek to underline
“The campaign seeks to underline the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.”
verb + verb
02. serve to underline
“The accident serves to underline the importance of wearing a seatbelt.”
verb + verb
Adjective
03. clearly underline
“The report clearly underlines the link between poverty and poor health.”
adv + verb
04. further underline
“These recent events further underline the need for urgent political reform.”
adv + verb
Noun
05. underline fact
“The survey results underline the fact that most people prefer working from home.”
verb + noun
06. underline importance
“The teacher underlined the importance of meeting deadlines.”
verb + noun
07. underline necessity
“The crisis underlined the necessity for a unified European response.”
verb + noun
08. underline point
“He used a graph to underline his point about rising temperatures.”
verb + noun
09. underline a fundamental shift
“These changes underline a fundamental shift in consumer behavior.”
10. underline the gravity of
“The latest figures underline the gravity of the economic situation.”
11. underline the need for
“The power cut underlined the need for a backup generator.”
Usage
Transitive; when used figuratively, it often takes an abstract noun phrase as its object.
Real-World Examples
“Shares in Postal Savings Bank of China (PSBC) <601658.SS> made a subdued Shanghai debut on Tuesday after a $4 billion share sale, underlining growing investor concerns about the health of the banking sector in a slowing economy.” “It puts China's largest steel-making group in control of a European trading firm -- the world's largest in steel -- underlining the dominance of China in the steel market.” “Australia's newest iron ore producer has decided to sell its output on China's spot market after failing to tie up long-term contracts, the firm said on Monday, underlining a dramatic contraction in China's ore demand.” “India expects its fastest growth in almost two decades this fiscal year, underlining the country's growing clout in the world economy as manufacturing and service firms power ahead.” Etymology
The term is a gerund formed from the verb underline and the suffix -ing. It appears in English as a compound of the preposition under and the noun line, functioning to denote the act of marking beneath a passage of text.
From the preposition under- and the noun lining, appearing in English as a compound for a material placed beneath another.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/underlining