understanding
1506
the true character of someone: There is (a) deep understand-
ing between them. | It is hoped that these talks will improve
international understanding.
understanding² adj apprec sympathetic and therefore not
often blaming or getting annoyed: Luckily, I have a very
understanding boss.
un·der·state /ˌʌndəsteɪt||-ər-/ v [T] 1 to cause (some-
thing) to seem less important than it really is: They under-
stated the seriousness of the crime. → opposite
OVERSTATE 2 to express without full force or show, holding
back feelings: In an understated speech he made clear his
views. | an understated evening dress (≠not showy)
un·der·state·ment /ˌʌndəˈsteɪtmənt||-dər-/ n [C;U] (a)
statement which is not strong enough to express the full or
true facts or feelings: To say the film was bad is an
understatement. | You call him rich? That's the understate-
ment of the year; he owns more than any man in Britain!
un·der·stud·y¹ /ˌʌndəˌstʌdi||-ər-/ n an actor who learns a
part in a play so as to be able if necessary to take the place of
the actor who usually plays that part
understudy² v [T] to be an understudy for (an actor or
actress) in (a part): She understudied (Maggie Smith as)
Desdemona.
un·der·take /ˌʌndəˈteɪk||-ər-/ v -took /'tʊk/, -taken
/'teɪkən/ [T] fml 1 to take up or accept (a duty or piece of
work, especially one that is difficult or needs effort): She
undertook responsibility for the changes. | The Channel Tun-
nel is one of the biggest engineering projects ever under-
taken. 2 [obj] to promise or agree: [+to-v] He undertook to pay
the money back within six months. | [+that] He undertook that
he would pay it back.
un·der·tak·er /'ʌndəteɪkər||-dər-/ n a person whose job is
to arrange funerals
un·der·tak·ing¹ /ˌʌndəˈteɪkɪŋ||'ʌndərteɪ-/ n 1 [C usually
sing.] something undertaken; a job, piece of work, or any-
thing needing effort: Starting a new business can be quite a
risky undertaking. 2 fml a promise; PLEDGE: [+to-v/that] We
have had a personal undertaking from the Prime Minister to
deal with the matter/that he will deal with the matter.
un·der·tak·ing² /'ʌndəˌteɪkɪŋ||-ər-/ n [U] the business of an
undertaker
un·der·the-'counter adj infml (bought or sold) secretly, often
illegally: under-the-counter sales/payments → see also COUN-
TER
un·der·tone /'ʌndətəʊn||-dər-/ n 1 a quiet voice: He spoke
in an undertone. 2 [oft] a feeling or quality that is not
openly expressed but can still be recognized: There was an
undertone of sadness in her letter: → compare OVERTONES
un·der·tow /'ʌndətəʊ||-dər-/ n [S] the current beneath the
surface which pulls back towards the sea as a wave breaks on
the shore
un·der·used /ˌʌndə'juːzd◂ ||-dər-/ adj (especially of public
buildings etc) not used as much as it/they could be: The
municipal sports centre is underused and losing money.
un·der·val·ue /ˌʌndə'væljuː||-ər-/ v [T] to have too low an
opinion of the value or importance of: She felt that the
company undervalued her/her work.
un·der·wa·ter
/ˌʌndə'wɔːtər ||ˌʌndər'wɔːr-
-'wai-/ adj, adv (used, done
etc) below the surface of a
stretch of water: underwater
swimming | underwater
cameras | The ship was
underwater when they
reached her. | They swam
underwater.
un·der·wear /'ʌndəweər||
-dər-/ also underclothes,
underclothing rather fml —
n [U] the clothes worn next to the body under other clothes,
such as UNDERPANTS, BRAS etc
un·der·weight /ˌʌndəweɪt◂ ||-ər-/ adj weighing less than is
expected or usual: The potatoes are underweight by a kilo. |
[after n] He's several pounds underweight. → opposite OVER-
WEIGHT; see THIN (USAGE)
un·der·went /ˌʌndəˈwent||-ər-/ past tense of UNDERGO
un·der·whelm /ˌʌndəˈwelm||-ər-/ v [T] often humor to impress
very little, or less than was intended or expected: He
underwhelmed us with his recitation of nursery rhymes in
Latin. | an underwhelming new film
un·der·world /'ʌndəwɜːld||'ʌndərwɜːrld/ n [the S] 1 (usually
cap.) (especially in ancient Greek stories) the place where the
spirits of the dead live 2 the criminal world; criminals;
considered as a social group
un·der·write /ˌʌndə'raɪt/ v -wrote /'rəʊt/, -written /'rɪtn/
[T] 1 fml to support with money and especially take respon-
sibility for possible failure: The government has agreed to
underwrite the new project with a grant of £5 million. 2 tech
to take responsibility for fulfilling (an insurance agreement)
un·der·writ·er /'ʌndəˌraɪtər||-dər-/ n a person who makes
insurance contracts
'Underwriters' La,boratories /Il'.... ....../ the full name
of the UL
un·de·served /ˌʌndɪ'zɜːvd◂ ||-zɪr-/ adj which has not been
earned: undeserved attention/criticism
un·de·sir·a·ble¹ /ˌʌndɪ'zaɪərəbəl◂ / adj fml unpleasant and
unwanted: Long delays are undesirable, but sometimes
unavoidable. | efforts to rid the football clubs of undesirable
elements | The incident could have undesirable consequences
for the government. → compare DESIRABLE —bly adv
—bility /ˌʌndɪzaɪərə'bɪləti/ n [U]
undesirable² n fml derog an undesirable person, especially
someone regarded as immoral, criminal, or socially unac-
ceptable
un·de·vel·oped /ˌʌndɪ'veləpt◂ / adj (usually of a place) in
its natural state, especially not having industry, mines,
building, modern farming etc → see also DEVELOP, UNDER-
DEVELOPED COUNTRY
un·dies /'ʌndiːz/ n [P] infml or humor articles of especially
women's UNDERWEAR
un·dig·ni·fied /ʌn'dɪgnɪfaɪd/ adj lacking in seriousness or
formality; appearing foolish: an undignified exit | undigni-
fied behaviour
un·dis·charged /ˌʌndɪs'tʃɑːdʒd ||-dər-/ adj tech 1 (of an
account or debt) not paid → see also DISCHARGE 2 (of a
person who owes money) not yet allowed by the court to
stop repayments; still legally in debt: an undischarged
bankrupt
un·di·vid·ed /ˌʌndɪ'vaɪdɪd◂ / adj complete: Give me your
undivided attention.
un·do /ʌn'duː/ v -did /'dɪd/, -done /'dʌn/ [T] 1 to unfasten
(something tied or wrapped): Undo the string round the
parcel. | I undid the parcel. → see also UNDONE, DO UP; see
OPEN (USAGE) 2 to remove the effects of: The disastrous fire
undid months of hard work. 3 [usually pass.] old use to ruin the
position or hopes of: I am undone! My secret has been
discovered! 4 [usually pass.] to upset very seriously: She was
undone by the news of the accident.
un·do·ing /ʌn'duːɪŋ/ n [S] the cause of someone's ruin,
shame, failure etc; DOWNFALL: In the end his ambition was his
undoing. (=caused him to fail) → compare MAKING
un·done /ˌʌn'dʌn◂ / adj [F] unfastened or loose: One of your
buttons is undone/has come undone.
un·doubt·ed /ʌn'daʊtɪd/ adj known for certain to be (so);
UNQUESTIONABLE: his undoubted talent → see DOUBT (USAGE)
—ly adv: That is undoubtedly true.
un·dreamed-of /ʌn'driːmd ɒv||-ɑːv/ also un·dreamt-of
/ʌn'dremt-/ adj beyond, and especially better or more than
what can be imagined: undreamed-of happiness/wealth
These technical advances were undreamed-of even 20 years
ago.
un·dress¹ /ʌn'dres/ v 1 [I] to take one's clothes off 2 [T] to
take the clothes off (someone): I undressed the baby and put
him in his bath.
undress² n [U] 1 fml lack of clothes: The little boy ran out of
the house, still in a state of undress. 2 tech military uniform;
not for ceremonial occasions
un·dressed /ˌʌn'drest◂ / adj 1 [F] not wearing any clothes:
The doctor told me to get undressed. (=take my clothes off)