underway

underway — adjective

1. if an activity, event, or process is underway, it has already started and is con

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

if an activity, event, or process is underway, it has already started and is continuing to happen

Example

The construction of the new community centre is already well underway.

be + well underway for emphasis

By the time Yumi reached the office, the weekly team meeting was already underway.

be + already underway

Common collocations
  • well underway
  • already underway
  • currently underway
  • fully underway
Synonyms
  • in progress

    the most direct equivalent; slightly more formal

  • going on

    informal alternative, common in spoken English

  • occurring

    more neutral and detached, often used in formal reports

Antonyms
  • completed

    opposite in terms of lifecycle — the event has finished

  • pending

    opposite in terms of timing — the event has not yet started

Grammar Patterns

be + underway

Usage Note

Predicative only — this sense never appears before a noun. You cannot say 'an underway project'; instead say 'a project that is underway.'

Common Mistakes

The underway construction caused delays.
The construction, which is underway, caused delays.
'underway' cannot be placed before a noun in standard English.

2. having started or been put into motion — describes an event, project, or activit

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

having started or been put into motion — describes an event, project, or activity that has recently begun to happen

Example

Preparations for the annual food festival got underway earlier this month.

get + underway for starting

The trial got underway promptly at nine with the judge's opening remarks.

Common collocations
  • get underway
  • got underway
  • gets underway
Synonyms
  • started

    more general; can be used with any event or process

  • commenced

    formal register, common in official announcements

  • begun

    the direct synonym; interchangeable in most contexts

Antonyms
  • finished

    the event has reached its end

  • postponed

    the event has been delayed to a later time

Grammar Patterns

get + underway

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1 (CURRENTLY ACTIVE): sense 2 focuses on the moment of starting, while sense 1 emphasises the ongoing state. Sense 2 typically pairs with 'get' rather than 'be.'

Common Mistakes

The show is got underway at seven.
The show got underway at seven.
'is' and 'get' are not combined; use either 'is underway' (state) or 'got underway' (starting moment).

underway — adverb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All three alternatives describe activities that are happening, but they differ in register and typical sentence position. 'In progress' is the closest direct equivalent to 'underway' and can be used in the same predicative position ('The work is in progress'); it sounds slightly more formal and is common in written reports and status updates. 'Going on' is informal and belongs in everyday conversation ('What's going on here?'); unlike 'underway', it can be placed after a noun ('the events going on downtown'). 'Occurring' is neutral and more detached, often used in formal or scientific writing to state facts ('The reaction is occurring at room temperature'). None of these alternatives carry the original nautical flavour of 'underway,' and only 'in progress' works naturally after 'get' ('got in progress' is rare but possible; 'got going on' is ungrammatical).

in progress ↗going onoccurring ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • well underway
  • get underway
  • be underway
  • already underway
  • fully underway

Etymology

GermanicEnglish

The word 'underway' began as the two-word nautical phrase 'under way,' first recorded in the mid-18th century. On a sailing ship, to be 'under way' meant the vessel was moving through the water — literally, 'under' (in the process of) + 'way' (forward motion or progress through water). The one-word spelling 'underway' became common in the 20th century, especially in American English, and is now accepted in most dictionaries. The shift from a physical nautical meaning to a general sense of 'in progress' happened gradually as the word moved from maritime language into everyday use.