underworld

[ uhn-der-wurld ]

noun

1. the criminal element of human society.
2. the imagined abode of departed souls or spirits; Hades.
3. a region below the surface, as of the earth or a body of water.
4. the opposite side of the earth; the antipodes.
5. Archaic. the earth.

underworld

/ ˈʌndəˌwɜːld /

noun

1. 1. criminals and their associates considered collectively
   2. ( as modifier )

      underworld connections

2. the regions below the earth's surface regarded as the abode of the dead; Hades

Word History and Origins

Origin of underworld¹

First recorded in 1600–10; under- + world

Example Sentences

These ceremonies included visual and sonic iconographic elements of mythological deities of the Aztec underworld, which may also be symbolized in the Aztec death whistle.

From Science Daily

A comparable U.S. venture called EarthScope, a $200 million, 20-year-long effort to map the North American underworld that wrapped up field studies a few months ago, spaced seismometers 70 kilometers apart.

From Science Magazine

Buck’s two-week trial highlighted a dangerous underworld of sex work, where an influential, wealthy man exploited poor, addicted Black men.

From Los Angeles Times

Punjab's gangsters don’t enter the underworld for wealth alone - they crave notoriety, a deep-seated desire to "be somebody", according to Mr Singh.

From BBC

That is because they have the wine know-how there: artisans who understand labelling and old bottles and corks; and also a criminal underworld that is prepared to invest.

From BBC

Related Words

• gangland
• mob
• organized crime
• syndicate