Meaning & use

underscore

verb·Academic

To draw attention to something and show why it matters.

See it in a sentence

The empty shelves underscore the need for another food collection.

These examples underscore how much word choice affects tone.

A note on using this word

In formal writing, evidence can 'underscore the importance' of an idea. This sense does not require drawing a line under text.

Words with a similar meaning

emphasizehighlightstress

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Another way to use it

2. noun

The low horizontal character _ used in typing and computer text.

Use an underscore between the two words in the filename.

3. verb

To draw a line beneath written words.

Please underscore the title with a ruler.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “underscore”, then compare your use with the examples above.

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