underneath
0 antonyms and opposites of underneath, grouped by meaning.
Preposition — Below or beneath something, often in contact with it.
How to use underneath
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English underneoðan, from under plus neoðan ("from below"); related to the word "beneath."
Full origin of underneath →Frequently asked questions
What does “underneath” mean?
The word “underneath” means below or beneath something, often in contact with it. In plain terms, directly below or on the bottom side of something.
How do you pronounce “underneath”?
“Underneath” is pronounced uhn-duh-NEETH (/ˌʌndɚˈniθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “underneath” in a sentence?
Here is “underneath” used in a sentence: “The cat was hiding underneath the sofa.”
What part of speech is “underneath”?
Depending on how it is used, “underneath” can be a preposition, an adverb and a noun.
Where does the word “underneath” come from?
The word “underneath” comes from Old English. From Old English underneoðan, from under plus neoðan ("from below"); related to the word "beneath.".
Is “underneath” a common word?
“Underneath” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “underneath” have?
“Underneath” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: below or beneath something, often in contact with it.
What is the difference between "under" and "underneath"?
"Under" is the all-purpose word; "underneath" is more emphatic and often suggests something is covered, hidden, or in contact with what is above it, as in "the key was underneath the mat." Only "under" works with numbers and measures — "under 18", "under an hour" — where "underneath" is not used.
What is the difference between "underneath" and "beneath"?
They overlap, but "beneath" is more formal or literary and also carries figurative senses such as "beneath contempt". "Underneath" is the more conversational choice and stresses physical position, especially being directly under or covered by something.
Is "underneath of" correct, as in "underneath of the table"?
No — as a preposition, "underneath" takes its object directly: "underneath the table." Adding "of" is nonstandard; "of" only follows naturally after the noun use, as in "the underneath of the car", where "underneath" names the lower surface itself.
What is the difference between "underneath" and "below"?
"Below" means at a lower level, with no suggestion of contact — "the valley below", "temperatures below zero". "Underneath" implies being directly under something and often touching or covered by it, so a note taped underneath a drawer sits against its lower side.