underscore

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˌʌndɜrˈskɔr/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    A line drawn under a word or phrase, especially for emphasis or to indicate a blank space to be filled in.; The character '_' used in computing, especially in programming and file names, to represent a space or separate words.; Background music in a film, television show, or other media that accompanies and enhances the action or mood.
  2. verb
    To draw a line under a word or phrase for emphasis.; To emphasize or stress the importance of something.; To provide background music for a film, television program, or other media.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: underscores 3rd sing.: underscores Past: underscored Past part.: underscored Pres part.: underscoring

Collocations

underscore the importanceunderscore the needunderscore the factunderscore a pointunderscore the significance

Derivatives

underscoring

Synonyms

emphasizehighlightstressunderlineaccentuate

Antonyms

downplayminimizeunderstate

Commonly confused

underline
EN: 'underline' literally means to draw a line under text and is more common in everyday use; 'underscore' is more formal and also specifically refers to the _ character in computing.

Spelling tips

EN: No common spelling issues. Note that 'underscore' is one word, not 'under score'.

💬 Examples

  1. Please fill in your name on the underscore.

  2. Use an underscore instead of a space in the file name, like 'my_document.txt'.

  3. The underscore during the chase scene built tension throughout the sequence.

  4. She underscored the most important points in her notes.

  5. The report underscores the need for immediate action on climate change.

  6. The composer underscored the entire film with a haunting orchestral score.