underneath

[uhn-der-neeth, -neeth]

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.

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

/ ˌʌndəˈniːθ /

preposition

1. under; beneath

adjective

1. lower

noun

1. a lower part, surface, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of underneath¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of underneath¹

Old English underneothan, from _under + neothan below; related to Old Danish underneden; see _beneath

Example Sentences

She leans over to Autumn and writes something down underneath the desk.

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Slowly she rotated the potato, so that what had been on top was underneath, and what was on the bottom was now on top.

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Penelope yelped involuntarily, for she had bumped her head on the bottom of the chair in an attempt to crawl out from underneath.

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Her first tip is to use a waterproof runner underneath your favorite tablecloth, so your table stays protected from any spills and stains.

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That helps put a floor underneath economic activity, specifically for consumption.

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