undercurrent

[ uhn-der-kur-uhnt, -kuhr- ]

noun

1. a tendency underlying or at variance with the obvious or superficial significance of words, actions, etc.:

   Even in his friendliest remarks, one could sense an undercurrent of hostility.

2. a current, as of air or water, that flows below the upper currents or surface.

undercurrent

/ ˈʌndəˌkʌrənt /

noun

1. a current that is not apparent at the surface or lies beneath another current
2. an opinion, emotion, etc, lying beneath apparent feeling or meaning

Word History and Origins

Origin of undercurrent¹

First recorded in 1675–85; under- + current

Example Sentences

Downplaying Trump’s incendiary threats of violence until just a few weeks before the election, provided both tacit and explicit sanction to xenophobic, racist and authoritarian impulses that have long simmered in the American undercurrent.

From Salon

But Schneider’s normcore exterior belies an undercurrent of intensity: There’s a particular, obsessive mindset required to conceive of and execute such an ambitious public expedition every year over two decades.

From Los Angeles Times

But there was an undercurrent of fear — not only about the result, but about what it will say about the character of the nation.

From Los Angeles Times

The case is still being investigated, but the riots shook the nation and reflected an undercurrent of anger that had been building for years over the way ethnic minorities are treated in France.

From BBC

A previous review, carried out in 2013 in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal, suggested there was "a strong undercurrent of fear" at the BBC when addressing issues of bullying.

From BBC

Related Words

• atmosphere
• aura
• crosscurrent
• feeling
• hint
• inclination
• indication
• intimation
• murmur
• overtone
• sense
• tinge
• undertone
• undertow

More About Undercurrent

What is an undercurrent?

An undercurrent is a flow of water or air that moves below the highest current or the surface.

Undercurrent is more often used figuratively to mean a tendency underlying or at odds with what’s on the surface, as in While the two candidates smiled and shook hands, everyone in the room could feel the undercurrent of aggression between them.

Example: The undercurrent at the beach today was so strong, I worried it was going to carry me out to sea!

Where does undercurrent come from?

The first records of the term undercurrent come from around 1675. It combines

the prefix under–, used to indicate place or situation below or beneath, and the term current, which describes a flow or stream. In most cases, water and wind currents flow with the warmest on top and coolest on the bottom. Because of this, an undercurrent is usually colder than those above it.

Undercurrents are often talked about in meteorology and oceanography. The undercurrent of a storm may cause a cold front to come in, for example. When used figuratively, an undercurrent refers to a true significance or meaning of words that differ from what they seem to mean. For example, two people could say that they want to be friends while the undercurrent to their words is to make a business deal.

Did you know … ?

What are some synonyms for undercurrent?

• drift
• feeling
• hint
• pull
• undertone
• undertow

What are some words that share a root or word element with undercurrent? 

• current
• under

What are some words that often get used in discussing undercurrent?

• meaning
• movement
• hidden
• water
• wind

How is undercurrent used in real life?

Undercurrent is frequently used in its literal sense in discussions about water or weather. It is also often used figuratively, especially when the speaker thinks someone is hiding their true intentions.

I'm hooked on OZARK. There's an undercurrent of black humor running through it that makes it special.

— Stephen King (@StephenKing) August 22, 2017

There's a constant undercurrent of fear that software innovation will eliminate jobs, but so far we have a 30-year industry track record of software being so ill-conceived that it winds up creating two new jobs for each one that it renders redundant.

— Justin Searls (@searls) February 11, 2019

Honestly there are a lot of journalists you can criticize for how they cover tech, but if you're going after @TaylorLorenz you're missing the mark. She's a professional, and great at her job. Really indicative of the undercurrent of misogyny that women face in this industry.

— 𝙅𝘼𝙈𝙀𝙎 𝙈𝘾𝙇𝙀𝙊𝘿 (@jamespmcleod) July 3, 2020

Try using undercurrent!

Is undercurrent used correctly in the following sentence?

Did I sense an undercurrent of disdain in his comments about inclusivity in the workplace?