# underwater

/ˈəndɝˌwɔtɝ/ (US) · /ˌʌndəwˈɔːtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/underwater
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. beneath the surface

adjective · CEFR A2

located or happening below the surface of the water.

For teachers: situated, occurring, or used beneath the surface of a body of water.

- The divers found an underwater cave filled with colourful fish.
- The research team deployed an underwater drone to map the coral reef without disturbing the delicate ecosystem.

### 2. owing more than value

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Commonly used to describe mortgages or car loans during a market crash.

### 3. financial options

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. moving below the surface

adverb · CEFR A2

moving or staying below the surface of the water.

For teachers: 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.

### 5. deep water

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the water that is deep below the surface.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The divers found an underwater cave.
- The research team used an underwater camera to film the rare species of shark living near the ocean floor.
- The coastal city is investing in underwater barriers to protect its historic harbor from the rising sea levels caused by climate change.

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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.