Underworld: meaning, definitions and examples

🕵️‍♂️

Add to dictionary

underworld

[ ˈʌndəwɜːld ]

^{Context #1}

crime

The underworld refers to the criminal or illegal activities and organizations that operate outside of the law. It is often associated with organized crime, secret societies, and illegal activities such as drug trafficking, smuggling, and money laundering.

Synonyms

criminal network, criminal underworld, underbelly

Examples of usage

The police are constantly trying to dismantle the underworld networks in the city.
He was deeply involved in the underworld, conducting illegal activities for years.

^{Context #2}

mythology

In mythology, the underworld is a realm of the dead, where souls go after death. It is often depicted as a dark and gloomy place ruled by a god or goddess. In Greek mythology, Hades is the god of the underworld.

Synonyms

Realm of the dead, netherworld

Examples of usage

In Greek mythology, heroes often journey to the underworld to seek advice or confront the dead.
The underworld is believed to be a place of judgment and punishment in many cultures.

Translations

Translations of the word "underworld" in other languages:

🇵🇹 submundo

🇮🇳 अधोलोक

🇩🇪 Unterwelt

🇮🇩 dunia bawah

🇺🇦 підземний світ

🇵🇱 podziemie

🇯🇵 地下世界 (ちかせかい)

🇫🇷 souterrain

🇪🇸 inframundo

🇹🇷 yeraltı dünyası

🇰🇷 지하 세계 (jihak segye)

🇸🇦 عالم سفلي

🇨🇿 podsvětí

🇸🇰 podsvetie

🇨🇳 地狱 (dìyù)

🇸🇮 podzemlje

🇮🇸 undirheimar

🇰🇿 жерасты әлемі

🇬🇪 ქვესკნელი

🇦🇿 alt dünya

🇲🇽 inframundo

Word origin

The term 'underworld' dates back to the 16th century and originally referred to the world beneath the earth's surface. Over time, it has evolved to also represent the hidden, criminal, or mythological aspects of society. The concept of the underworld has been prevalent in various cultures and mythologies, symbolizing the unknown and mysterious realms beyond the physical world.