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underbrush

American  
[uhn-der-bruhsh] / ˈʌn dərˌbrʌʃ /
Also underbush

noun

  1. shrubs, saplings, low vines, etc., growing under the large trees in a wood or forest.

underbrush British  
/ ˈʌndəˌbrʌʃ /

noun

  1. undergrowth

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of underbrush

An Americanism dating back to 1765–75; under- + brush 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ducking my head and running as fast as my legs could carry me, I started boring my way through the underbrush.

From Literature

He helped Abby sit on the ground and then, climbing through underbrush and fallen branches, he made his way around the huge root system.

From Literature

Little fires burned in the underbrush, and trees smoldered.

From Literature

“Au revoir, Incorrigibles! While you trudge through the underbrush and pitch your tents in the mud, I shall pass the long hours by wearing pretty clothes and going to tea with my lady friends.”

From Literature

Sparks showered down, and the underbrush burst into flames.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.