Underdog: meaning, definitions and examples

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underdog

[ ˈʌndəˌdôɡ ]

^{Context #1}

sports

A competitor thought to have little chance of winning a competition or contest.

Synonyms

dark horse, long shot, outsider

Examples of usage

The underdog team managed to pull off a surprising victory.
She always roots for the underdog in every match.

^{Context #2}

general

A person or group that is expected to lose in a conflict or struggle.

Synonyms

loser, oppressed, victim

Examples of usage

Despite being the underdog, he fought bravely till the end.
The underdog in the election surprised everyone by coming out on top.

Translations

Translations of the word "underdog" in other languages:

🇵🇹 azarão

🇮🇳 अंडरडॉग

🇩🇪 Außenseiter

🇮🇩 underdog

🇺🇦 андердог

🇵🇱 słabeusz

🇯🇵 アンダードッグ

🇫🇷 outsider

🇪🇸 desvalido

🇹🇷 mazlum

🇰🇷 약자

🇸🇦 المستضعف

🇨🇿 outsider

🇸🇰 outsider

🇨🇳 失败者

🇸🇮 avtsajder

🇮🇸 undirdog

🇰🇿 аутсайдер

🇬🇪 აუტსაიდერი

🇦🇿 autsayder

🇲🇽 desvalido

Word origin

The term 'underdog' dates back to the mid-19th century and is derived from the notion of a dog being the weaker party in a fight or contest. The prefix 'under-' implies being at a disadvantage or beneath others, while 'dog' represents the weaker or less dominant party. Over time, the term has evolved to symbolize anyone at a disadvantage or expected to lose, particularly in sports or competitive situations.

See also: dog, doggedly, doggy, doghouse, dogma, dogmatic, dogs.