underwater

C1 · Advanced Finance Technical

adj. describing a loan where you owe more money than the item is currently worth.

adj. having negative equity, specifically when the balance of a loan exceeds the current market value of the asset securing it.

“After the housing market crashed, many families found their homes were underwater.”

“The bank struggled to manage a portfolio of underwater mortgages as property values in the region continued to decline.”

C2 · Proficiency Finance Technical · Formal

adj. describing a financial deal that is currently not profitable to use.

adj. referring to an option whose strike price is higher than the current market price for calls, or lower for puts.

“His stock options went underwater after the company's poor earnings report.”

“The executive's compensation package lost much of its appeal when the majority of his stock options became underwater during the recession.”

A2 · Elementary

adv. moving or staying below the surface of the water.

adv. in a manner that goes or remains beneath the water's surface.

“She can swim underwater for nearly two minutes without taking a breath.”

“The submarine travelled underwater for several days to avoid detection by surface vessels.”

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Technical

n. the water that is deep below the surface.

n. the body of water located beneath the surface layer, such as in an aquifer or deep ocean.

“Scientists are studying the underwater in the Arctic to see how it changes.”

“The contamination of the underwater in the local aquifer posed a significant threat to the town's long-term supply of drinking water.”