Underworld Meaning

/ˈʌndəˌwɜːld/
B2

Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

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nounThe world of the dead, located underneath the world of the living; the afterlife.

nounThat part of society that is engaged in crime or vice, and particularly those involved in organized crime.

Tom has many underworld connections.
In Buddhism, the god Enma rules the underworld.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The brave detective infiltrated the criminal ____ to catch the dangerous boss.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In ancient mythology, the ____ is the place where the spirits of the dead go after they leave the world today.

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁én Proto-Indo-European *h₁entér Proto-Indo-European *(H)n̥dʰí Proto-Indo-European *-ér Proto-Indo-European *(H)n̥dʰér Proto-Germanic *under Proto-West Germanic *undar Old English under- Middle English under- English under- Proto-Indo-European *weyh₁-? Proto-Indo-European *wiHrós Proto-Germanic *weraz Proto-Indo-European *h₂el- Proto-Indo-European *h₂életi Proto-Germanic *alaną Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Germanic *-þiz Proto-Germanic *aldiz Proto-Germanic *weraldiz Proto-West Germanic *weraldi Old English weorold Middle English world English world English underworld From under- + world.

"In the underworld theme, low notes create a darker feeling that matches the cave setting. This song also creates a sense of continuity across early Mario games, since it's a remix of SMB1's original underworld theme." — 2016, Alyse Knorr, Super Mario Bros. 3: Boss Fight Books #13:
"In Scandinavian mythology the dragon is the guardian of the Underworld on the Norse sacred tree, which is the realm of departed spirits, elementals, elves and faery folk ruled by the goddesses Hel and Freya." — 1985, Michael Howard, The Wisdom of the Runes, Rider & Company, →ISBN, page 129:
"At Imbolc, the goddess is transformed from her aged, winter aspect as the Hag, veiled in black, carrying her black rod of barreness as Hela, guardian of the mysteries of death and the Underworld." — 2002, Nigel Pennick, Practical Magic in the Northern Tradition, Thoth Publications, →ISBN, page 36:
"I know that the centre of this labyrinth is keyed to the Underworld, the Land of the Dead, but that's not my goal." — 2006, Raven Kaldera, The Pathworker's Guide to the Nine Worlds, Asphodel Press, →ISBN, page 1:

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CEFR Practice Quiz
The brave detective infiltrated the criminal ____ to catch the dangerous boss.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In ancient mythology, the ____ is the place where the spirits of the dead go after they leave the world today.

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