to do less work than is expected, required, or suitable
3.
to do a particular kind of work for a lower price than other workers in the same field
4.
to work in secret
underwork in American English
(ˌundərˈwɜːrk) (verb-worked, -working)
transitive verb
1.
to do less work on than is necessary or required
to underwork an idea
2.
to employ inadequately
He underworks his mind and overworks his feet
intransitive verb
3.
to do less work than is normal or proper
He is fat because he underworks and overeats
Derived forms
underworker
noun
Word origin
[1495–1505; under- + work]This word is first recorded in the period 1495–1505. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: buskin, runt, slope, tinsel, veteranunder- is a prefixal use of under, as to indicate place or situation below or beneath (underbrush; undertow); lower in grade or dignity (undersheriff; understudy); of lesser degree, extent, or amount (undersized); or insufficiency (underfeed)