Underworld

Pronunciation: /ˈʌndərˌwɜrld/

Definitions of underworld

noun a world beneath the surface of the earth, especially the abode of the dead in Greek and Roman mythology

Example Sentences

A1 The underworld is a place where bad people go in stories.

A2 In some cultures, the underworld is believed to be a realm ruled by a god or goddess.

B1 Many myths and legends feature heroes journeying to the underworld to retrieve something valuable.

B2 The underworld is often depicted as a dark and mysterious place in literature and art.

C1 Exploring the themes of death and rebirth, many poets and writers have delved into the concept of the underworld.

C2 In classical mythology, figures like Hades and Persephone are central to the stories of the underworld.

Examples of underworld in a Sentence

formal The police have been investigating the criminal activities in the underworld for months.

informal I heard there's some shady stuff going on in the underworld.

slang The underworld is a dangerous place, best to stay away from it.

figurative She felt like she was descending into the underworld as she delved deeper into the dark secrets of the organization.

Grammatical Forms of underworld

• plural: underworlds
• comparative: more underworld
• superlative: most underworld
• present tense: underworld
• future tense: will underworld
• perfect tense: have underworlded
• continuous tense: is underworlding
• singular: underworld
• positive degree: underworld
• infinitive: to underworld
• gerund: underworlding
• participle: underworlded

Origin and Evolution of underworld

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Old English

Story behind the word: The word 'underworld' originated from Old English, where 'under' meant beneath or below, and 'world' referred to the earth or inhabited world.

Evolution of the word: Over time, 'underworld' came to be associated with the realm of the dead or the criminal underworld, reflecting a shift in its meaning from simply 'beneath the world' to a more sinister connotation.