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

Underneath the rally, investors are fleeing illiquid private-credit funds, where redemption requests have tripled and quadrupled in the past year, and selling liquid public holdings to raise cash.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

Underneath that is where you can enable split tunneling.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

Underneath the White House post, several users questioned why the image had been altered to make Armstrong appear to be crying.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

Underneath the digital artifice, Chaplin’s eyes flash with hot conviction and palpable presence.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2025

Underneath, people are seated at green wooden picnic tables, chowing down and chatting.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith