undertide

9.9

A current of water that flows under the surface

noun
/ˈʌndərˌtaɪd/

Specialized

: corriente subterránea

Watch for signs of a strong undertide before swimming far from shore.

Examples

The undertide can be strong and unpredictable in this part of the river.
Divers must be cautious of the undertide when exploring coral reefs.
The undertide was strong near the shore.
Many fish prefer to swim in the undertide.
Divers must be cautious of the undertide when exploring coral reefs.
The undertide can be strong and unpredictable in this part of the river.
Watch for signs of a strong undertide before swimming far from shore.

Synonyms

undertow

vsundertide

4 7.4

A strong water current under the surface that pulls you out to sea

is a general subsurface current not limited to shore or seaward motion

undercurrent

vsundertide

1 6.5

A flow of water under the surface that moves in a different direction

is the simple subsurface current without implying directional difference

underflow

vsundertide

Specialized

8.4

A flow of water below the surface that carries sand or silt

is a general subsurface current without emphasis on sediment or relation to other flows

sea-poose

vsundertide

Archaic

9.9

A strong flow of water that pulls away from the shore after waves break

is the general subsurface current and not only the seaward flow after waves

How Strong

rip current

2 6.0

undertow

4 7.4

undertide

Specialized

9.9

undercurrent

1 6.5

current

166 3.2

Surface Forms

undertide singular

undertides plural

Morphology

undertide = tide (transparent) = under + tide

Clear, literal combination of 'under' + 'tide' meaning a current beneath the surface, so learners who know the parts can infer the meaning.

Etymology

The word undertide comes from under 'below' and tide 'movement of the sea'. So, an undertide is a current that flows beneath the surface, like the related word undertow, and that is why it can pull swimmers away from shore.