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
Preposition
The smoke originated from underneath the bus’ dashboard, the video shows, according to a Nov. 2 statement issued by Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. Julia Marnin, Sacramento Bee, 4 Mar. 2024 Both companies include text underneath their chatbots describing them as works in progress. Geoffrey A. Fowler, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024 The figure doesn't take into account that some roads require rebuilding underneath the pavement, which would add more time and money. Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Mar. 2024 With each step Rodriguez took, black shoes could be seen underneath the Vetements design. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 The hair spills out from underneath the hat and runs down as sideburns. Gerard Albert, NPR, 1 Mar. 2024 Attached to one component underneath that car — out of sight to virtually everyone but the rats, once the train resumes service — there was a round, black-and-white sticker. David Waldstein, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 The challenge for storytellers is to use its methods to reveal inner truths that lie underneath beliefs and, when brought to light, can create new understandings. John Baldoni, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Mollie's family members, including her mother and sisters, were killed by men over their rights to oil reserves located underneath their reservation in Oklahoma. Abby Stern, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024
Adverb
Allen matched his girlfriend in tan pants and a tan jacket with a white Prada shirt underneath. Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 Roast on the bottom rack until the vegetables are tender and the tofu is crisp underneath, 30 to 35 minutes. Emily Weinstein, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 Similarly, a house in Kawasaki that Yamamoto designed the following year for two artists featured a pavilion-like room that could serve as a stage for performances, with living quarters underneath. Robin Pogrebin, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Your child might benefit the most from wearing an additional layer underneath to stay warm. Casey Clark, Parents, 5 Mar. 2024 Ashikaga Flower Park Ashikaga Flower Park is the only location in Japan with a Kibana wisteria tunnel visitors can walk underneath. Talia Avakian, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2024 All the keys have north-facing RGB backlight LEDs underneath. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 On Friday around 4 p.m., Jordan was working underneath the cab of a fire engine at a Gila Bend fire station when the cab gave way and trapped him underneath, according to fire officials. Abigail Celaya, The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2024 Yet such triumphalism cannot mask the deep fault lines underneath, which—unless recognized and addressed—will only widen in the years to come. Ramachandra Guha, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underneath.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near underneath

Cite this Entry

“Underneath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underneath. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!