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

Skunks spray an oily liquid from glands underneath their tails as a defense.

From Literature

But when he pulled back the neck of his T-shirt he saw that the skin underneath was unmarked.

From Literature

She scratched her head, sending her blond wig askew, revealing the sparse gray spiderwebs underneath.

From Literature

I came to an abrupt halt, and Mami dived underneath to bear me up.

From Literature

If possible, she will nap underneath a picnic table, à la Yogi Bear.

From The Wall Street Journal