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.

Noun

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