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

“But Georgi kept wanting to get underneath it, to excavate it. Explore the fire, explore the trauma. She came in and said, ‘This show is about identity.’

From Los Angeles Times

The workers’ uniforms are smudged with stains earned underneath a car, wrench in hand.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s big, loud, colorful and incredibly entertaining, but underneath that is something much more personal.”

From The Wall Street Journal

On the surface, it is a love story between Hal and Madge, but underneath it’s a meditation on class, yearning, broken dreams, and the nearly insurmountable obstacles to leading a life of meaning and purpose.

From The Wall Street Journal

And underneath the well-known home listing sites lie increasingly diversified businesses.

From Barron's