underworld
nounUK /ˈʌndəˌwɜːld/ · US /ˈʌndɚˌwɚld/
Etymology From under- + world.
1
Human sciences, Lifestyle, Mysticism, Mythology, Philosophy, Religion, Sciences The world of the dead, located underneath the world of the living; the afterlife.
- In Hindu scriptures, the four-eyed dogs Śārvara and Śyāma guard the underworld's entrance.
2
That part of society that is engaged in crime or vice, and particularly those involved in organized crime.
- A disproportionate amount of local politicians have connections to the underworld.
3
Video games The portion of a game that is set below ground.
- 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:
- Derived terms
- underworldling, underworldly
- Related terms
- Hades, Tartarus, hell, Hel, Niflheim, Niflhel, Gehenna