Underlying most literally means situated underneath—lying under something, as in We have to fix the underlying layer before repairing the surface. Underlying perhaps most commonly means fundamental or basic. This sense of the word is used to describe things that are the basis, foundation, or cause of something else.

What does underlying Mean Mean?

1a : lying beneath or below the underlying rock is shale. b : basic, fundamental an investigation of the underlying issues. 2 : evident only on close inspection : implicit. 3 : anterior and prior in claim underlying mortgage. 4 : of or being present in deep structure underlying word order.

What does underlying mean example?

The definition of underlying refers to something lying beneath, or the basic or root cause of something. A layer of minerals in the soil is an example of underlying minerals. A lack of educational opportunity is an example of an underlying cause of poverty. adjective.