# underwent

/ˌəndɝˈwɛnt/ (US) · /ˌʌndəwˈɛnt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/underwent
Updated: 2026-05-03

## Definition

to experience something, especially a change, a medical treatment, or a difficult process.

For teachers: to experience or be subjected to something, typically a process that is unpleasant, necessary, or transformative. The past tense of 'undergo'.

## Examples

- The old building underwent a complete renovation last year.
- The patient underwent several tests before the doctors could confirm the diagnosis and start the treatment.
- The aerospace industry underwent a period of rapid consolidation as smaller firms merged to survive the rising costs of research and development.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He was underwent surgery" but "He underwent surgery" — Learners often treat 'underwent' as a passive participle; it is an active past tense verb.

## Usage notes

- Transitive verb — always takes a direct object. As the past tense form, it does not take an auxiliary 'did' in affirmative statements.

---

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.