preposition

underneath

uhn-duh-NEETH

preposition

Below or beneath something, often in contact with it.

"The cat was hiding underneath the sofa."

"She kept a spare key underneath the doormat."

adverb

In a position below or on the lower side.

"The label had come off, but you could still read the price underneath."

noun

The lower or bottom part of something.

"The underneath of the boat was covered in barnacles."

How to Use Underneath

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDirectly below or on the bottom side of something.

Common pairings

underneath the surface right underneath hide underneath

underneaths plural

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The cat was hiding _____ the sofa.

From Old English underneoðan, from under plus neoðan ("from below"); related to the word "beneath."

death neath heath breath sheath wreath beneath bequeath