underneath

1 of 2

preposition

un·​der·​neath ˌən-dər-ˈnēth How to pronounce underneath (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Preposition
The redheaded single mother of two agreed to give Rogers a ride and was found dead in the bathtub of his hotel room on Nov. 7, 1995, stabbed multiple times and Rogers' watch lodged underneath her. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 15 May 2025 And fortunately, a lot of the bells and whistles never came into play since people kept getting voted out with idols in their pockets or were unable to find idols and advantages that were hidden (literally) right underneath them. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 15 May 2025
Adverb
Meanwhile Sánchez, Jeff Bezos's fiancé, wore a long white coat with a matching mini skirt underneath. Rachel Flynn, People.com, 16 May 2025 While people laugh, there’s a real sadness underneath, too. Jamie Lang, Variety, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for underneath

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of underneath was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Underneath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underneath. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

underneath

1 of 2 preposition
un·​der·​neath ˌən-dər-ˈnēth How to pronounce underneath (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on underneath

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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