# underworld

/ˈəndɝˌwɝɫd/ (US) · /ˈʌndəwˌɜːld/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/underworld
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. criminal world

noun · CEFR B2

the secret part of society where people are involved in serious crime and illegal business.

For teachers: the collective environment of individuals and organisations engaged in professional or organised crime.

- The police spent years trying to find the leaders of the city's criminal underworld.
- Investigative journalists often risk their lives to expose the connections between legitimate businesses and the local criminal underworld.

### 2. mythology

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

in ancient stories, the place under the earth where the spirits of the dead go.

For teachers: the mythological or religious realm of the dead, typically conceived as being located beneath the surface of the earth.

- In Greek myths, Orpheus traveled to the underworld to bring back his wife.
- The epic poem describes the hero's descent into the underworld to seek guidance from the spirits of his ancestors.

### 3. gaming

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

the part of a video game world that is located underground.

For teachers: the subterranean portion of a game's environment, often featuring distinct mechanics or higher difficulty.

- You need to find a secret tunnel to enter the underworld in this level.
- Players must navigate the treacherous underworld to collect the rare minerals required for high-level crafting.

## Examples

- In Greek myths, heroes often travel to the underworld.
- The police spent years investigating the city's criminal underworld to find the gang leaders.
- The poet describes a descent into a shadowy underworld where the spirits of the forgotten wander through eternal mist.

---

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.