beneath

1 of 2

adverb

be·​neath bi-ˈnēth 

bē-

1

: in or to a lower position : below

the mountains and the towns beneath

2

: directly under : underneath

Look at the illustration and read what is beneath.

beneath

2 of 2

preposition

1

a

: in or to a lower position than : below

beneath the surface

b

: directly under

the ground beneath her feet

c

: at the foot of

a camp beneath a hill

2

: not suitable to the rank of : unworthy of

a job that is beneath his dignity

3

: under the control, pressure, or influence of

the chair sagged beneath his weight

4

: concealed by : under the guise of

a warm heart beneath a gruff manner

Synonyms of beneath

Adverb

• underneath

Preposition

• under
• underneath

Examples of beneath in a Sentence

Adverb

the mountains and the towns beneath

the sky above and the earth beneath

an awning with chairs and tables beneath

The ground beneath is covered with flowers.

Preposition

the sky above us and the earth beneath us

just beneath the surface of the water

The painting is hanging on the wall with a plaque beneath it.

We had a picnic beneath a large tree.

The paper was hidden beneath a pile of books.

She wore a sweater beneath her coat.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Hudson’s black peekaboo layering bra was worn beneath, designed with straps at the back that created angular lines for a sharp juxtaposition. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 Nov. 2025

Little birds and forest rodents pulled out tufts of fur for their nests, revealing the clean bone beneath. —Hazlitt, 19 Nov. 2025

Preposition

The McIntosh turntable at the front has an acrylic platter that glows blue, while a stack of McIntosh amplifiers and five-foot-tall speakers by the Italian brand Sonus faber stand beneath a portrait of a young, smiling Stevie Wonder. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 24 Nov. 2025

Around the holidays, powerful emotions lay just beneath the surface—family gatherings spur conflicts, loneliness peaks and self-expectations can become compounded by joyful seasonal messages. —Danielle Winston, Flow Space, 24 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adverb and Preposition

Middle English benethe, from Old English beneothan, from be- + neothan below; akin to Old English nithera nether — more at nether

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing beneath

• beneath contempt
• beneath one's dignity
• from beneath

Rhymes for beneath

• bequeath
• neath
• sheath
• teeth
• wreath
• underneath

Kids Definition

beneath

1 of 2 adverb

be·​neath bi-ˈnēth 

: in or to a lower position : below

beneath

2 of 2 preposition

1

a

: lower than : below

b

: directly under

2

: not worthy of

work beneath your dignity