underneath

1 of 2

preposition

un·​der·​neath ˌən-dər-ˈnēth 

1

a

: directly beneath

write the date underneath the address

b

: close under especially so as to be hidden

treachery lying underneath a mask of friendliness

wore a swimsuit underneath his slacks

2

: under subjection to

underneath

2 of 2

adverb

1

: under or below an object or a surface : beneath

2

: on the lower side

underneath adjective

Synonyms of underneath

Adverb

• beneath
• under
• below

Examples of underneath in a Sentence

Preposition

He hid the envelope underneath his coat.

She slipped a note underneath the door.

The ball rolled underneath the car.

He lives in the apartment underneath mine.

There was gum stuck underneath the table.

Underneath her calm exterior was a nervous woman with a hot temper.

They actually had a lot in common underneath their obvious differences.

Adverb

He wore a white sweater with a red shirt underneath.

She lifted up the rock and found ants crawling underneath.

The car had rust underneath.

Recent Examples on the Web

Preposition

Set in 1993, the film will follow estranged fighters Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken (Centineo), who are recruited into a brutal fighting tournament by Chun-Li (Callina Liang), and uncover a conspiracy underneath it, per Deadline. —Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 15 Dec. 2025

Don’t be afraid to look underneath the car and check for any fluid leaks. —Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 15 Dec. 2025

Adverb

Techniques such as masking can hide a streak, but the cosmic signal underneath cannot be reconstructed. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 12 Dec. 2025

Another tip is to poke holes in the pot sleeve and use a waterproof saucer underneath to catch excess water and avoid tabletop damage. —Lynn Coulter, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Preposition

Middle English undernethe, preposition & adverb, from Old English underneothan, from under + neothan below — more at beneath

First Known Use

Preposition

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

Adverb

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

Phrases Containing underneath

• the underneath
• underneath it all

Rhymes for underneath

• beneath
• bequeath
• neath
• sheath
• teeth
• wreath

Kids Definition

underneath

1 of 2 preposition

un·​der·​neath ˌən-dər-ˈnēth 

1

: right under

wore their bathing suits underneath their clothes

2

: under the control of

underneath

2 of 2 adverb

1

: under or below an object or an outside part

soaked through the jacket to the shirt underneath

2

: on the lower side

a pot blackened underneath