Undergone

/ˌʌndərˈɡɒn/

verbmediumCommonLiterature

Definitions

1

To experience or be subjected to something, typically a difficult or unpleasant process or change.

/ˌʌndərˈɡɒn/

verbneutralmedium
Literature

To experience or be subjected to something

The building has undergone extensive renovations.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're in a video game, and your character *undergoes* a quest. It means your character goes through a challenge or a series of events. It's like saying you faced or experienced something, especially something tough or transformative. For example, if you're reading a book and the hero *undergoes* a difficult journey, it means he experiences challenges along the way.

👶 For kids: When something *undergoes* something, it means it goes through it, like going through a tunnel or experiencing something like a change.

More Examples

2

She underwent chemotherapy to treat her cancer.

3

The country has undergone major political changes in recent years.

How It's Used

Medical

"The patient has undergone surgery."

Business

"The company has undergone significant restructuring."

From Middle English *undergon*, equivalent to under- + gone. 'Gone' is the past participle of 'go'.

The word 'undergo' and its past participle 'undergone' have been used in English since the Middle Ages, initially referring to the act of submitting to or experiencing something.

Memory tip

Think of a person walking *under* a storm; they *go* through a tough experience.

Base: undergo
undergoneundergon

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written