noun
Meaning 1
Subordinate work; petty business.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Standard Lemma guide
underwork
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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Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
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/ˈʌndə(ɹ)ˌwɜː(ɹ)k/
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/ˌʌndə(ɹ)ˈwɜː(ɹ)k/
noun
Meaning 2
An underneath structure, for example for physical support
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable
Examples
- the underwork of a road
- underwork of marble
- underwork of the carriage
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 3
To require too little work from; to work insufficiently.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 4
To work or operate in secret or clandestinely.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive, obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 5
To do less work than necessary (on).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: ambitransitive
Examples
- to underwork a painting
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 6
To do work for inadequate payment.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 7
To injure by working secretly; to destroy or overthrow by clandestine measure; to undermine.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 8
To do similar work for a lesser price than; to undercut.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
- One mason may underwork another.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From under- + work.