Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [uhn-der-ling]
- /ˈʌn dər lɪŋ/
- /ˈʌn.dəl.ɪŋ/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [uhn-der-ling]
- /ˈʌn dər lɪŋ/
Definitions of underling word
- noun underling a subordinate, especially one of slight importance. 1
- countable noun underling You refer to someone as an underling when they are inferior in rank or status to someone else and take orders from them. You use this word to show that you do not respect someone. 0
- noun underling a subordinate or lackey 0
- noun underling a person in a subordinate position; inferior: usually contemptuous or disparaging 0
Information block about the term
Origin of underling
First appearance:
before 1125 One of the 6% oldest English words
1125-75; Middle English. See under-, -ling1
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Underling
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
underling popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 61% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
underling usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for underling
noun underling
- ass-kisser — the practice or an instance of attempting to curry favor by the excessive use of compliments, praise, or the like.
- assenter — a person who agrees or complies
- bootlicker — to seek the favor or goodwill of in a servile, degraded way; toady to.
- doormat — a mat, usually placed before a door or other entrance, for people arriving to wipe their shoes on before entering.
- flunkey — flunky.
Antonyms for underling
noun underling
- big gun — If you refer to someone as a big gun, you mean that they have a lot of power or influence.
- big guns — an influential or important person or thing: He's a big gun in science.
- foreperson — a foreman or forewoman.
- chief — The chief of an organization is the person who is in charge of it.
- gaffer — the chief electrician on a motion-picture or television production.
Top questions with underling
- what is underling?
- what is an underling?
- what does underling mean?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with u
- Words starting with un
- Words starting with und
- Words starting with unde
- Words starting with under
- Words starting with underl
- Words starting with underli
- Words starting with underlin
- Words starting with underling