underneath

American  

[uhn-der-neeth, -neeth] / ˌʌn dərˈniθ, -ˈnið /

preposition

1. below the surface or level of; directly or vertically beneath; at or on the bottom of.

2. under the control of; in a lower position in a hierarchy of authority.

   Underneath the department heads are the junior executives.

3. hidden, disguised, or misrepresented, as by a false appearance or pretense.

   Underneath his bluster is a timid nature.

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adverb

1. below; at a lower level or position; on the underside.

adjective

1. lower; situated below or under.

noun

1. the bottom; underside; lowest part.

underneath British  

/ ˌʌndəˈniːθ /

preposition

1. under; beneath

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adjective

1. lower

noun

1. a lower part, surface, etc

Etymology

Origin of underneath

before 900; Middle English undernethe, Old English underneothan. See under, beneath

Example Sentences

"We saw walls collapsing, the floors opening up. And then water and mud began spurting up from underneath the flooring."

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

And right underneath the hotel is a bar called Le Lounge, which has some of the best drinks in the city.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

The red in the tie and the socks imply that he’s hiding underneath all that.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

Lower sea levels reduced pressure on the bedrock beneath Antarctic ice shelves, allowing the land underneath to slowly rise upward.

From Science Daily • May 29, 2026

But I think there’s still love there underneath the many layers of hurt and frustration.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller