Standard Lemma guide

underflow

noun · verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A current flowing below the surface.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A condition in which the value of a computed quantity is smaller than the smallest non-zero value that can be physically stored; usually treated as an error condition.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

The error condition that results from an attempt to retrieve an item from an empty stack.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To trigger the condition in which the value of a computed quantity is smaller than the smallest non-zero value that can be physically stored.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To trigger the error condition resulting from attempting to retrieve a value from an empty stack.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From under- + flow, modelled on overflow.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: podtečení — computing: a condition in which the value of a computed quantity is smaller than the smallest non-zero value that can be physically stored
  • Finnish: alivuoto — computing: a condition in which the value of a computed quantity is smaller than the smallest non-zero value that can be physically stored
  • Lithuanian: atvirkštinis perpildymas — computing: a condition in which the value of a computed quantity is smaller than the smallest non-zero value that can be physically stored
  • Polish: niedomiar — computing: a condition in which the value of a computed quantity is smaller than the smallest non-zero value that can be physically stored
  • Slovak: podtečenie — computing: a condition in which the value of a computed quantity is smaller than the smallest non-zero value that can be physically stored