Definition of "underwater" in English

adjective

1. (not comparable) Beneath the surface of the water; of or pertaining to the region beneath the water surface.

   • Watch out for underwater obstacles.
   • He was a pioneer in underwater exploration.

2. (nautical) Beneath the water line of a vessel.

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

3. (figuratively) In difficulty, especially financially.

4. (finance) Having negative equity; owing more on an asset than its market value.

   • We've been underwater on our mortgage ever since the housing crash.

5. (finance) Of an option, having a strike price higher (call options) or lower (put options) than the current market price of the underlying asset or financial product; for example, an option to buy shares at $20 when the current market price is $15.

adverb

1. So as to go beneath the surface of the water.

   • Can you swim underwater?

noun

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

2. (fishing) A type of lure which lies beneath the water surface.

verb

1. (agriculture, horticulture, transitive) To water or irrigate insufficiently.

   • Care must be taken not to underwater houseplants in the summer.