Subsurface: meaning, definitions and examples
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subsurface
[ ˈsʌbsɜːfɪs ]
geology
The area below the surface of the ground; the underground layer or layers of soil or rock.
Synonyms
below ground, subterranean, underground.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
subsurface |
Repeated entry, ignore. |
underground |
Commonly used to describe something beneath the earth's surface, can also imply something secret or hidden, often used for subways or covert activities.
|
subterranean |
Often used in more formal or literary contexts to describe something deep underground, like caves or hidden tunnels.
|
below ground |
Commonly used in everyday language and general contexts to describe something that is underneath the surface, like construction or storage.
|
Examples of usage
- Oil and gas are extracted from the subsurface for energy production.
- Geologists study the subsurface to understand the composition of the earth's crust.
engineering
Located or occurring below the surface, especially in reference to construction or exploration activities.
Synonyms
below ground, underground, underneath.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
subsurface |
Used in technical or scientific contexts to describe something located just below the surface of the ground or another material.
|
underground |
Often used to describe something beneath the earth's surface, but can also refer to secret or hidden activities. Common in casual and formal contexts.
|
below ground |
Commonly used to describe objects or structures that are located beneath the surface of the earth. Often used in construction or urban planning.
|
underneath |
Used to describe something directly beneath another object. Less technical, more commonly used in everyday language.
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Examples of usage
- Subsurface water flow can impact the stability of the foundation.
- The subsurface conditions were carefully analyzed before starting the construction project.
Translations
Translations of the word "subsurface" in other languages:
🇵🇹 subsuperfície
🇮🇳 उपसतही
🇩🇪 unter der Oberfläche
🇮🇩 bawah permukaan
🇺🇦 підповерхневий
🇵🇱 podpowierzchniowy
🇯🇵 地下の
🇫🇷 sous la surface
🇪🇸 subsuperficial
🇹🇷 yüzey altı
🇰🇷 지하의
🇸🇦 تحت السطح
🇨🇿 podpovrchový
🇸🇰 podpovrchový
🇨🇳 地下的
🇸🇮 podpovršinski
🇮🇸 undir yfirborði
🇰🇿 бетінің асты
🇬🇪 ქვედა ზედაპირის
🇦🇿 səthaltı
🇲🇽 subsuperficial
Etymology
The word 'subsurface' originated from the combination of 'sub-' meaning below or under, and 'surface' referring to the outermost layer of something. It first appeared in the mid-19th century in the context of geology and engineering to describe areas or conditions below the visible surface. Over time, the term has been widely used in various scientific and technical fields to denote the underground or lower layers of soil, rock, or other materials.
See also: resurface, surface, surfaces, undersurface.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranked #11,549, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.
- ...
- 11546 unitary
- 11547 placenta
- 11548 ballast
- 11549 subsurface
- 11550 bordered
- 11551 propagated
- 11552 coagulation
- ...