English · Word Candidate

underwater

/ʌndə(ɹ)ˈwɔːtə/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: underwaters · underwatering · underwatered

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Beneath the surface of the water; of or pertaining to the region beneath the water surface.

Adjective

Watch out for underwater obstacles.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

Beneath the water line of a vessel.

Adjective

When the ship was brought into dry dock, it was found that she had underwater damage.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

So as to go beneath the surface of the water.

Adverb

Can you swim underwater?

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

Underlying water or body of water, for example in an aquifer or the deep ocean.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “underwater” mean?

Beneath the surface of the water; of or pertaining to the region beneath the water surface.

Is “underwater” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.