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

When asked about his hair, which peeks out from underneath a black beret-style hat, a wide grin stretches across his face.

From Los Angeles Times

Edgar Wright’s “The Running Man” used the song’s looping, funky backing track underneath a bit of conspiracy-minded explainer video, adding an escalating urgency to the conclusion of the movie’s action-packed satire of corporate media culture.

From Los Angeles Times

Cisterns placed underneath parking lots, parks or open spaces in a neighborhood could store rainwater runoff for firefighting.

From Los Angeles Times

Owens and her family saved the house, wedging plywood underneath the doorways during the storm and mopping up water faster than it seeped inside.

From The Wall Street Journal

First I had to dust off and reclaim the title of Artist I had buried underneath frustration and resentment and lay it loudly alongside that of Mother.

From Los Angeles Times