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Spell Bee Word: underdog


Basic Details

Word: Underdog

Part of Speech: Noun

Meaning: The person or team that is expected to lose a contest, usually because they are weaker or less well known.

Synonyms: outsider

Antonyms: favourite

How to Spell Underdog

Syllables: un - der - dog

Tricky part: It is one closed word, under + dog, with no space or hyphen. The middle vowel is not clearly heard, so some students write undardog.

Watch out for: undardog, underdogg, undredog

Memory tip: Write two words you already know, under and dog, side by side with no gap between them.

Usage Examples

Example 1: In most films the audience cheers for the underdog.

Example 2: Our team was the underdog in the debate, yet we reached the final.

Example 3: Nobody expected the small village school to win, but the underdogs lifted the trophy.

Fun Fact

The word was first used in the late 1800s for the dog that lost a dog fight and ended up underneath. Top dog, for the winner, came along soon after.

Practise the CREST Way

Word Makeup

Choose the correctly spelt compound word:

a) scarcrow
b) seashel
c) underdog
d) fingernale

Show answer

c) underdog. Scarecrow keeps the e of scare, fingernail ends in nail and seashell has a double l; underdog joins under and dog unchanged.

Word Connection

Choose the antonym of the word:

underdog

a) outsider
b) beginner
c) weakling
d) favourite

Show answer

d) favourite. The favourite is the side everyone expects to win, the reverse of the underdog.

Word Cookie

Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:

und_rd_g

a) e, o
b) i, o
c) a, o
d) e, a

Show answer

a) e, o. Spell under in full, then dog.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In a chess match between a beginner and a champion, the underdog is ____.

a) the champion
b) the referee
c) the beginner
d) the audience

Show answer

c) the beginner

2. People say they are rooting for the underdog when they ____.

a) want the game to end
b) do not care who wins
c) want the weaker side to win
d) support the strongest team

Show answer

c) want the weaker side to win

Associated Words

remarkablecynicalcrusthazyemergency
incrediblespiritualcandidacygaudysatire

Next steps

How to participate in CREST International Spell Bee

The CREST International Spell Bee (CSB) is conducted in two editions – CREST International Spell Bee - Summer (CSB) and CREST International Spell Bee - Winter (CSBW) – giving students across the globe an opportunity to showcase and enhance their spelling proficiency. Designed for young learners from Senior KG to Class 8, the competition focuses on word-building, pronunciation, and vocabulary enrichment, helping students develop strong linguistic skills.

Steps to Participate:

Step 1: Visit the registration page and complete the registration with your desired subject.

Step 2: After Registration done, do login at www.crestolympiads.com/login.

Step 3: After login, go to dashboard and click on Book slot/Take Exam

Step 4: Schedule your exam date and preferred time.

Step 5: Log in with your credentials on the exam day at the scheduled time and take the exam.

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