beneath
bih-NEETH
Beneath (preposition) means Directly under or below something. Example: “The river flows beneath the old stone bridge on its way to the sea.”
preposition
1
Directly under or below something.
"The river flows beneath the old stone bridge on its way to the sea."
"The cat was hiding beneath the sofa."
"They found an old coin buried beneath the floorboards."
2
Lower in rank, status, or dignity than something; unworthy of.
"The manager thought such petty rules were beneath someone of his experience."
"He acted as if manual work was beneath him."
"She considered gossiping beneath her."
adverb
1
In a lower position; underneath.
"The ice looked solid, but the cold water beneath was very deep."
"He lifted the rug and found a small trapdoor beneath."
"From the plane, the fields beneath looked like a patchwork quilt."
How to use beneath
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slightly more formal word for "under" or "below" — often used for physical position or to say something is unworthy of someone.
When to use it
More literary or formal than plain "under"; common in writing and speech about dignity ("beneath him") as well as physical space.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
beneath the surface
beneath contempt
beneath one's dignity
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The river flows _____ the old stone bridge on its way to the sea.
Etymology
From Old English bineoþan, formed from be- plus neoþan ("below"), the same root family that gives us "nether."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for beneath
See all rhymes for beneath →Frequently asked questions
What does “beneath” mean?
The word “beneath” means directly under or below something. In plain terms, a slightly more formal word for "under" or "below" — often used for physical position or to say something is unworthy of someone.
How do you pronounce “beneath”?
“Beneath” is pronounced bih-NEETH (/bɪˈniːθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “beneath” in a sentence?
Here is “beneath” used in a sentence: “The cat was hiding beneath the sofa.”
What part of speech is “beneath”?
Depending on how it is used, “beneath” can be a preposition and an adverb.
Where does the word “beneath” come from?
The word “beneath” comes from Old English. From Old English bineoþan, formed from be- plus neoþan ("below"), the same root family that gives us "nether.".
Is “beneath” a common word?
“Beneath” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “beneath” have?
“Beneath” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: directly under or below something.
What is the difference between 'beneath', 'under', and 'below'?
All three describe a lower position, but 'beneath' is slightly more formal or literary and can suggest contact or covering. 'Under' is the most common and neutral, while 'below' often refers to a lower level without implying direct contact.
Is 'beneath' formal or informal?
'Beneath' is somewhat formal and literary. In everyday speech most people say 'under' or 'below,' reserving 'beneath' for writing or for the figurative sense of something being unworthy.
Can 'beneath' and 'underneath' be used interchangeably?
Often yes, when describing physical position, as in 'beneath the surface' or 'underneath the surface.' However, only 'beneath' is normally used for the figurative sense of something being below one's dignity.
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