under
beneath and covered by: under a table; under a tree.
below the surface of: under water; under the skin.
at a point or position lower or further down than: He was hit just under his eye.
in the position or state of bearing, supporting, sustaining, enduring, etc.: to sink under a heavy load.
beneath the heading or within the category of: Classify the books under “Fiction” and “General.”
as designated, indicated, or represented by: to register under a new name.
below in degree, amount, etc.; less than: purchased under cost.
below in rank; of less dignity, importance, or the like: A corporal is under a sergeant.
subject to the authority, direction, or supervision of: a bureau functioning under the prime minister.
subject to the instruction or advice of: to study the violin under Heifetz.
subject to the influence, condition, force, etc., of: under these circumstances; born under the sign of Taurus.
protected, controlled, or watched by: under guard.
authorized, warranted, or attested by: under one's hand or seal.
in accordance with: under the provisions of the law.
during the rule, administration, or government of: new laws passed under President Reagan.
in the state or process of: under repair; a matter under consideration.
Nautical. powered by the means indicated: under sail; under steam.
below or beneath something: Go over the fence, not under.
beneath the surface.
in a lower place.
in a lower degree, amount, etc.: selling blouses for $25 and under.
in a subordinate position or condition.
in or into subjection or submission.
beneath or on the underside: the under threads of the embroidery.
lower in position.
lower in degree, amount, etc.
lower in rank or condition.
subject to the control, effect, etc., as of a person, drug, or force: The hypnotist had her subject under at once. The patient was under as soon as he breathed the anesthetic.
go under,
to give in; succumb; yield: She tried desperately to fight off her drowsiness, but felt herself going under.
to fail in business: After 20 years on the same corner they finally went under.
Idioms about under
under wraps. wrap (def. 14).
Origin of under
1synonym study For under
Words Nearby under
Other definitions for under- (2 of 2)
a prefixal use of under, as to indicate place or situation below or beneath (underbrush; undertow); lower in grade or dignity (undersheriff; understudy); of lesser degree, extent, or amount (undersized); or insufficiency (underfeed).
Origin of under-
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use under in a sentence
“The institution of marraige [sic] is under attack in our society and it needs to be strengthened,” Bush wrote.
It is grandstanding for a right rarely protected unless under immediate attack.
Politicians Only Love Journalists When They're Dead | Luke O’Neil | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST“Price for adults to $4250; From 10 years to 14 years to $2125; under 10 years free,” the listing says.
“under Suleimani several military branches have taken shape [in Iraq] which are run by Iran and the Iranian military,” he said.
What an Iranian Funeral Tells Us About the Wars in Iraq | IranWire | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd that means they also fall under the umbrella of programs most likely to get the axe when state and federal budgets are tight.
under the one-sixth they appear as slender, highly refractive fibers with double contour and, often, curled or split ends.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddThe Pontellier and Ratignolle compartments adjoined one another under the same roof.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinThe Majesty on high has a colony and a people on earth, which otherwise is under the supremacy of the Evil One.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature | Moncure Daniel ConwayPoor Squinty ran and tried to hide under the straw, for he knew the boy was talking about him.
Squinty the Comical Pig | Richard BarnumFor several months he remained under a political cloud, charged with incompetency to quell the Philippine Rebellion.
The Philippine Islands | John Foreman
British Dictionary definitions for under (1 of 2)
/ (ˈʌndə) /
directly below; on, to, or beneath the underside or base of: under one's feet
less than: under forty years
lower in rank than: under a corporal
subject to the supervision, jurisdiction, control, or influence of
subject to (conditions); in (certain circumstances)
within a classification of: a book under theology
known by: under an assumed name
planted with: a field under corn
powered by: under sail
astrology during the period that the sun is in (a sign of the zodiac): born under Aries
below; to a position underneath something
Origin of under
1British Dictionary definitions for under- (2 of 2)
below or beneath: underarm; underground
of lesser importance or lower rank: undersecretary
to a lesser degree than is proper; insufficient or insufficiently: undercharge; underemployed
indicating secrecy or deception: underhand
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with under
In addition to the idioms beginning with under
- under a cloud
- under age
- under any circumstances
- under arrest
- under consideration
- under cover
- under false colors
- under fire
- under lock and key
- under one's belt
- under one's breath
- under one's feet
- under one's hat
- under one's nose
- under one's own steam
- under one's skin
- under pain of
- under par
- under someone's spell
- under someone's thumb
- under someone's wing
- under the aegis of
- under the circumstances
- under the counter
- under the gun
- under the hammer
- under the impression
- under the influence
- under the knife
- under the sun
- under the table
- under the weather
- under the wire
- under way
- under wraps
also see:
- below (under) par
- born under a lucky star
- buckle under
- come under
- cut the ground from under
- don't let the grass grow under one's feet
- everything but the kitchen sink (under the sun)
- fall under
- false colors, sail under
- get under someone's skin
- go under
- hide one's light under a bushel
- hot under the collar
- keep under one's hat
- knock the bottom out (props out from under)
- knuckle under
- light a fire under
- nothing new under the sun
- of (under) age
- out from under
- plow under
- pull the rug out from under
- put the skids under
- six feet under
- snow under
- sweep under the rug
- water over the dam (under the bridge)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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