How Do You Spell UNDERGIRD?

Pronunciation: [ˌʌndəɡˈɜːd] (IPA)

The word "undergird" is spelled with six letters, and is pronounced as /ˌʌndərˈɡɜːrd/ in IPA phonetic notation. The word originated in ancient times when ships were built using ropes to hold up the hull. These ropes were called "girds". When additional ropes were added beneath the main ones, this process was known as "undergirding". Today, it means to provide support, both literally and figuratively. This word's spelling and pronunciation can be tricky, but with practice, it can be mastered.

UNDERGIRD Meaning and Definition

1. Undergird is a verb that means to provide support or strength to something, usually a concept, belief, or argument. It refers to the act of reinforcing or bolstering the foundations or essential components of a thing or situation.

   When used metaphorically, undergird implies the idea of strengthening or consolidating a structure or system to ensure its stability and resilience. It suggests establishing a solid base that can sustain and endure challenges or pressures. For example, in the context of an academic paper, one might use evidence and logical reasoning to undergird an argument, ensuring it is well-supported and persuasive.

   Undergird can also connote the idea of providing a pervasive influence or presence throughout a particular subject or situation. This can be seen when a principle or value undergirds the actions or decisions of an individual or a whole society. It establishes a moral or philosophical foundation that guides behaviors or policies.

   In summary, undergird refers to the act of reinforcing, strengthening, or providing foundational support to an idea, concept, belief, structure, or argument. The term implies establishing a solid base, whether by providing evidence, logic, or moral grounding, in order to ensure stability and resilience.

2. To bind below; to gird round the bottom.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for UNDERGIRD

• yndergird
• hndergird
• jndergird
• indergird
• 8ndergird
• 7ndergird
• ubdergird
• umdergird
• ujdergird
• uhdergird
• unsergird
• unxergird
• uncergird
• unfergird
• unrergird
• uneergird
• undwrgird
• undsrgird
• unddrgird

Etymology of UNDERGIRD

The word "undergird" is derived from the combination of two Old English words: "under" and "girdan".

The word "under" comes from the Old English word "under", which meant "beneath" or "below". This root word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "under", which had the same meaning.

The second part of the word, "girdan", comes from the Old English verb "gyrdan", which means "to encircle" or "to surround". This root word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "gurdaną", which had a similar meaning.

By combining these two words, "undergird" was formed, which essentially means "to secure or support from below" or "to strengthen or reinforce".

Similar spelling words for UNDERGIRD

• undercut,
• underbodice,
• undertone,
• underlie,
• underway,
• undercoated,
• underbrush,
• underdog,
• underdress,
• underhill,
• underhanded,
• underpass,
• undermine,
• underground,
• Underdahl,
• underclass,
• undertide,
• underhand,
• underbody,
• understock,
• underspent,
• under wraps,
• underslung,
• underrating,
• undersoil,
• underarm,
• underived,
• underpin,
• undercover,
• undersexed,
• understaffed,
• underbid,
• underside,
• under fire,
• undertaking,
• undershoot,
• underpay,
• understand,
• undercharge,
• underworld,
• undervalue,
• undertow,
• undersize,
• untier,
• underhung,
• underfelt,
• underframe,
• understudy,
• underline,
• undersealed,
• undersized,
• undoer,
• understood,
• undershrub,
• underwear,
• underlying,
• underclothed,
• undersea,
• underwriter,
• underdevelop,
• underscore,
• under way,
• underskirt,
• underexpose,
• under that,
• underneath,
• unadorned,
• undersell,
• underpart,
• under arms,
• underactive,
• underproduce,
• underpants,
• underboss,
• undershot,
• underwood,
• underweight,
• underfur,
• underwrite,
• underact,
• underfed,
• undergrow,
• underwing,
• underdressed,
• underling,
• understated,
• underquote,
• undergrowth,
• underspend,
• underseller,
• understate,
• undergo,
• underseal,
• underrate,
• underwater,
• undersign,
• underbred,
• underlay,
• under it,
• underprice,
• underdone,
• undertaker,
• underplay,
• undertake,
• undercoat,
• undershirt,
• underbelly,
• undermanned,
• underdown,
• underfoot,
• underage,
• undergrad.

Conjugate verb Undergird

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have undergirded

you would have undergirded

he/she/it would have undergirded

we would have undergirded

they would have undergirded

I would have undergird

you would have undergird

he/she/it would have undergird

we would have undergird

they would have undergird

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been undergirding

you would have been undergirding

he/she/it would have been undergirding

we would have been undergirding

they would have been undergirding

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would undergird

you would undergird

he/she/it would undergird

we would undergird

they would undergird

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be undergirding

you would be undergirding

he/she/it would be undergirding

we would be undergirding

they would be undergirding

FUTURE

I will undergird

you will undergird

he/she/it will undergird

we will undergird

they will undergird

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be undergirding

you will be undergirding

he/she/it will be undergirding

we will be undergirding

they will be undergirding

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have undergirded

you will have undergirded

he/she/it will have undergirded

we will have undergirded

they will have undergirded

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been undergirding

you will have been undergirding

he/she/it will have been undergirding

we will have been undergirding

they will have been undergirding

IMPERATIVE

you undergird

we let´s undergird

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to undergird

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was undergirding

you were undergirding

he/she/it was undergirding

we were undergirding

they were undergirding

PAST PARTICIPLE

undergirded

PAST PERFECT

I had undergirded

you had undergirded

he/she/it had undergirded

we had undergirded

they had undergirded

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been undergirding

you had been undergirding

he/she/it had been undergirding

we had been undergirding

they had been undergirding

PRESENT

I undergird

you undergird

he/she/it undergirds

we undergird

they undergird

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am undergirding

you are undergirding

he/she/it is undergirding

we are undergirding

they are undergirding

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

undergirding

PRESENT PERFECT

I have undergirded

you have undergirded

he/she/it has undergirded

we have undergirded

they have undergirded

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been undergirding

you have been undergirding

he/she/it has been undergirding

we have been undergirding

they have been undergirding

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it undergird

SIMPLE PAST

I undergirded

you undergirded

he/she/it undergirded

we undergirded

they undergirded