underscore

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitiveformal

   To stress how important or true something is by making it clearly noticeable.

   Grammar: Takes an object: the report underscores the need for change.

   Patterns

   • underscore something
   • underscore the importance of something

   The recent flood underscores the need for better drainage.

   Her speech underscored how much the team had improved.

   These results underscore the importance of early testing.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To draw a line beneath written words to make them stand out.

   Grammar: Takes an object: underscore the title.

   Patterns

   • underscore something

   Underscore every key term in your notes.

   He underscored the date twice in red ink.

3. 3nouncountablecomputing

   The low horizontal line character (_) used in typing, for example in file names and web addresses.

   Grammar: Different from a hyphen, which is shorter and sits higher.

   The username must contain an underscore, such as sam_lee.

   Type an underscore between the two words.

Word forms

Common combinations

underscore the importance of

The crisis underscores the importance of saving.

underscore the need for

Events underscore the need for action.

further underscore

The latest data further underscore the problem.

use an underscore

Use an underscore instead of a space.

Synonyms and how they differ

emphasize

The usual plain choice; underscore suggests evidence pointing to a conclusion.

highlight

Draws attention to something, with less sense of proof.

stress

Often spoken, putting force on a point.

reinforce

Strengthens an existing idea.

Opposites

Commonly confused: underscore or underline?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “underscore”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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