below
5 synonyms and 8 antonyms for below, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Preposition — At a lower position than; underneath.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use below
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English bilooghe, formed from "be-" plus "low."
Full origin of below →Frequently asked questions
What does “below” mean?
The word “below” means at a lower position than; underneath. In plain terms, underneath, or lower than something — in position, amount, or further down a page.
How do you pronounce “below”?
“Below” is pronounced bih-LOH (/bɪˈloʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “below” in a sentence?
Here is “below” used in a sentence: “The valley lay below the mountain ridge.”
What is another word for “below”?
Words with a similar meaning to “below” include under, beneath and underneath.
What is the opposite of “below”?
The opposite of “below” — its antonyms — are above, over, upstream, aloft and overhead.
What part of speech is “below”?
Depending on how it is used, “below” can be a preposition and an adverb.
Where does the word “below” come from?
The word “below” comes from Middle English. From Middle English bilooghe, formed from "be-" plus "low.".
Is “below” a common word?
“Below” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between "below" and "beneath"?
Both mean at a lower position, and often either works. "Below" is the everyday choice for something lower on a scale or further down ("the temperature is below zero"). "Beneath" can feel slightly more formal or literary and often implies direct contact or being covered ("the letter lay beneath the books"). The overlap is large.
What is the difference between "below" and "under"?
"Under" usually means directly beneath, often in contact or covered ("under the bed," "under a blanket"). "Below" means simply at a lower level, not necessarily directly underneath ("the valley below," "below sea level"). You would write "ten degrees below zero," not "under zero." When position on a scale is meant, "below" is preferred.
What is the opposite of "below"?
The opposite of "below" is "above," meaning at a higher position. Related opposites include "over," "on top of," and "overhead." If something is below the line, its opposite is above the line; if a figure is below average, the opposite is above average. The pair "above and below" is very common.