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

Karume says he removed the video of Kalekye because she left a comment underneath it and also took down another woman's video after she asked him to.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Give me a meal that’s as much about what goes on top as what’s underneath — chili night, a loaded baked potato situation, an old-school salad bar — and I’m happy.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026

The type of rock below influences how easily the ice slides and how meltwater moves underneath it.

From Science Daily • Mar. 18, 2026

In the book they ended up with the image of an iceberg, where you can only see what’s above the surface and not what’s really complicated underneath.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

Akira held her breath, and Dodger danced underneath her, ready to run.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz