Definition of "underlying" in English

adjective

1. (literal) lying underneath

   • We dug down to the underlying rock.

2. basic or fundamental

   • Points and straight lines are underlying elements of geometry.

3. implicit

   • Many nursery rhymes have an underlying meaning.

noun

1. (finance) The entity from whose performance a derivative derives its value.

verb

1. present participle and gerund of underlie