underworld

/'ʌndəwə:ld/
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underworld

A lone boatman ferries souls across the river to the underworld.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • The world of the dead: In mythology and religion, the "underworld" refers to the subterranean abode of the dead, often conceived as a place of punishment or shadowy existence.
    • The criminal class or sphere of society: The "underworld" denotes the secret, organized realm of professional criminals and their illicit activities, operating outside the law.
Usage Examples
  • Noun (World of the dead):
    • In Greek mythology, heroes often journeyed to the underworld to seek wisdom or rescue souls.
    • Many ancient cultures believed the underworld was ruled by a deity, such as Hades or Osiris.
  • Noun (Criminal sphere):
    • The police conducted a lengthy investigation to infiltrate the city's underworld.
    • He was a notorious figure in the gambling underworld.
Advanced Usage
  • "The criminal underworld": A common collocation emphasizing the illicit, organized nature of crime.
    • The film depicts the brutal power struggles within the criminal underworld.
  • "Underworld figure/kingpin": Refers to a powerful leader in organized crime.
    • The authorities finally arrested the underworld kingpin after a decade-long manhunt.
Variants and Related Words
  • Underworldly (adj, rare): Pertaining to or characteristic of the underworld (in either sense).
  • Netherworld (n): A synonym often used for the mythological abode of the dead; can also poetically refer to a hidden or obscure realm.
Synonyms
  • For the world of the dead: Hades, netherworld, inferno, hell, abyss, Sheol.
  • For the criminal class: criminal element, organized crime, the mob, the syndicate, the gangland.
Related Phrases
  • "Dweller of the underworld": A mythical being or soul residing in the land of the dead.
  • "Underworld connections": Links or associations with organized crime figures.
    • The businessman was suspected of having underworld connections.
Related Idioms
  • "To have one foot in the underworld": To be closely involved with or partially belonging to the criminal sphere.
    • Rumors suggested the corrupt official had one foot in the underworld.
underworld

A lone boatman ferries souls across the river to the underworld.

Noun
  1. (religion) the world of the dead
    • No one goes to Hades with all his immense wealth-Theognis
  2. the criminal class

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