underbite
noun
un·der·bite
ˈən-dər-ˌbīt 
plural underbites
: malocclusion in which the lower jaw and front teeth project beyond the upper front teeth : prognathism involving the lower jaw
Three years ago, Jack, a small Chihuahua mix with an endearing underbite and a lust for attention, was dropped off at the Haven Animal Care Shelter.—
Natalie Gross
Natalie Gross… had braces to straighten his own teeth and surgery to correct a severe underbite, ….—Jean P. Fisher
compare overbite
Jean P. FisherExamples of underbite in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Pippa is tricolor, with long ears, a distant gaze, and an underbite that, Peacock mentioned, Piper didn’t have.
—Alexandra Horowitz, The New Yorker, 24 June 2024
Silver carp can grow up to 3 feet in length, have toothless mouths with an underbite and have silver scales everywhere except their heads, which are scale-free.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2024
With his thick Southern accent and chin jutted out to a menacing underbite, Charlie seems like an angry bulldog ready to take a bite out of the world.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 2 May 2024
The upper jaws of many of its patients didn’t grow as expected, leaving them with underbites.
—Megan Rose, ProPublica, 6 Mar. 2024
Holland’s son, now 13, has only a minor underbite after orthodontics and likely won’t need jaw surgery at all.
—Megan Rose, ProPublica, 6 Mar. 2024
The remaining kitty – a fluffy gray shorthair with a hilarious underbite – seemed less interested in Sheeran and more a fan of its food bowl.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 31 Jan. 2024
Rose Parade rain: In the Dec. 27 California section, an article about a storm in the forecast and the possibility of rain on the Rose Parade identified one of the dogs riding on the Pasadena Humane Society’s parade float as a shiba inu with an underbite.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2023
The alligator’s upper snout ended just below its eyes, leaving its mouth perpetually open and the lower half of its jaw jutting forward like an eerie underbite.
—Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alexandra Horowitz, The New Yorker, 24 June 2024
Silver carp can grow up to 3 feet in length, have toothless mouths with an underbite and have silver scales everywhere except their heads, which are scale-free.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2024
With his thick Southern accent and chin jutted out to a menacing underbite, Charlie seems like an angry bulldog ready to take a bite out of the world.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 2 May 2024
The upper jaws of many of its patients didn’t grow as expected, leaving them with underbites.
—Megan Rose, ProPublica, 6 Mar. 2024
Holland’s son, now 13, has only a minor underbite after orthodontics and likely won’t need jaw surgery at all.
—Megan Rose, ProPublica, 6 Mar. 2024
The remaining kitty – a fluffy gray shorthair with a hilarious underbite – seemed less interested in Sheeran and more a fan of its food bowl.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 31 Jan. 2024
Rose Parade rain: In the Dec. 27 California section, an article about a storm in the forecast and the possibility of rain on the Rose Parade identified one of the dogs riding on the Pasadena Humane Society’s parade float as a shiba inu with an underbite.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2023
The alligator’s upper snout ended just below its eyes, leaving its mouth perpetually open and the lower half of its jaw jutting forward like an eerie underbite.
—Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near underbite
Cite this Entry
“Underbite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underbite. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
underbite
noun
un·der·bite
ˈən-dər-ˌbīt
: malocclusion in which the lower jaw and front teeth project beyond the upper front teeth : prognathism involving the lower jaw
… had braces to straighten his own teeth and surgery to correct a severe underbite, as well as whitening.—Jean P. Fisher
compare overbite
Jean P. FisherLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share