underneath
uhn-duh-NEETH
Underneath (preposition) means Below or beneath something, often in contact with it. Example: “He found his missing glasses underneath a pile of old newspapers.”
preposition
1
Below or beneath something, often in contact with it.
"He found his missing glasses underneath a pile of old newspapers."
"The cat was hiding underneath the sofa."
"She kept a spare key underneath the doormat."
adverb
1
In a position below or on the lower side.
"She wore a thick coat with a warm jumper underneath."
"Lift the rug and you will see a small trapdoor underneath."
"The label had come off, but you could still read the price underneath."
noun
1
The lower or bottom part of something.
"Check the underneath of the car for any oil leaks."
"Scrub the underneath of the pan as well, because it gets greasy."
"The underneath of the boat was covered in barnacles."
How to use underneath
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDirectly below or on the bottom side of something.
Common pairings
underneath the surface
right underneath
hide underneath
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Word forms
- Plural
- underneaths
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He found his missing glasses _____ a pile of old newspapers.
Etymology
From Old English underneoðan, from under plus neoðan ("from below"); related to the word "beneath."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for underneath
See all rhymes for 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.
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