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

Zamora opted to keep his car and living spaces separate, setting up his inflatable pull-out couch underneath his canopy. —Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026

Afterward, dinner was underneath the gold leaf ceiling at the promenade. —Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 15 Apr. 2026

Adverb

According to the Kenner Police Department, a resident contacted authorities on April 4 after spotting six individuals outside their home, hiding underneath and behind their vehicles, which were parked in their driveway. —ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026

Lulinski, a former physical education teacher and football coach at the Flowery Branch private school, faces 27 counts of the felony crime of using or installing a device to record underneath or through an individual's clothing under certain circumstances. —Cbs Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026

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