un ‧ der ‧ ly ‧ ing AC /ˌʌndəˈlaɪ-ɪŋ◂ $ -ər-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ underlie ; adjective : ↑ underlying ]
underlying cause/principle/problem etc the cause, idea etc that is the most important, although it is not easily noticed:
the underlying causes of her depression
There is an underlying assumption that younger workers are easier to train.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ the underlying cause/reason
Stress is the underlying cause of many illnesses.
▪ an underlying assumption
There is an underlying assumption that new technology is always a good thing.
▪ an underlying principle
Their actions, he argued, went against the underlying principles of Christian morality.
▪ an underlying problem
Little is being done to correct the system's underlying problems.
▪ an underlying theme
Death and rebirth are underlying themes in all of his novels.
▪ an underlying message
The underlying message of his speech was that the economic good times are over.