What does underlined mean?
Underlined describes text that has been marked with a horizontal line beneath it. The practice can make an important sentence, passage, heading, or answer stand out, and in forms and worksheets it can show where a word or response is to be entered. In ordinary writing, underlining often functions as a visual form of emphasis, although digital formatting has made bold or italics more common. The word can also be used as the past tense and past participle of underline: a reader underlined a troubling phrase, or an editor underlined several passages for revision. Its meaning is generally neutral, but the specific reason for underlining depends on context. It may signal approval, criticism, special importance, selection, or incompleteness. Underlined is therefore useful wherever a reader needs to distinguish marked material from the surrounding text or interpret the purpose of a visual annotation.
Having a line drawn beneath it, as for emphasis, selection, or completion.
"The underlined title introduced a new section of the report."
Also used to describe names or spaces on forms that are intended to be filled in.
Past tense and past participle of underline: to draw a line beneath text, usually to emphasize it or indicate that it should be completed.
"He underlined the dates so that they would be easy to find."
A single horizontal stroke can turn ordinary words into a command: look here.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does underlined come from?
Underlined comes from underline, formed in English from the prefix under and the word line. The verb originally referred to drawing a line beneath writing, and the development of that marking into a means of emphasis produced the familiar modern sense. The related word underscore was formed similarly and has a closely comparable meaning, although it can also refer more broadly to emphasizing an idea or point.
Related word forms
How underlined is actually used
Underlined is neutral and especially common in writing, annotation, editing, and completed forms. Depending on context, underlining can indicate emphasis, selection, correction, or a space for information to be added.
Easily confused with underlined
Underlined means marked with a line beneath the words, whereas underlying means fundamental or hidden beneath the surface.