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
adjective
Synonyms
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
L.a. Hubilla, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
There is also uneasiness as Highland Copper currently has mineral rights underneath parts of the state park, while the state only has the surface rights.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024
The Bobbin Cuff, for example, takes its cues from a spool of thread, and hides its watch underneath a yellow sapphire set in the gold.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
The goat was underneath the bridge, hopping around the support pillars.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2024
The sauce goes on liberally, and underneath it, the enchiladas are distinct.
—Joe Yonan, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
And even then, it’s been obscured underneath layers of seaweed — a cash crop harvested by locals.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
Scale squeeze test While standing, hold the scale in both hands, one on either side with the heels of your hands on top and fingers wrapped underneath the sides.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
The clean formula also contains DHA and vitamin skin to treat the natural tone and texture underneath that tan.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2024
Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
For example, a Michigan resident who is part Irish and part Lebanese could check the box for White, then check the Irish box underneath, and then also check the MENA box, and check the Lebanese box underneath.
—Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 6 Apr. 2024
The video shows a bag, with feet sticking out from underneath, move up to the porch and swallow a package.
—Justine McDaniel, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
Then there was the undefined femininity of baby doll dresses with a t-shirt underneath or cropped cardigans with pleated skirts—think Cher Horowitz in Clueless or Kelly Taylor in Beverly Hills, 90210.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 3 Apr. 2024
Cook matzo brei, swirling pan a couple of times, until golden brown underneath and surface is no longer shiny and wet-looking, 2–3 minutes.
—Emma Laperruque, Bon Appétit, 1 Apr. 2024
The finding leads the researchers to believe there may be an older settlement buried underneath or near the one from the medieval period.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024
Actress Octavia Spencer wore a sparkling black suit with a black satin camisole underneath and a pair of toe black sandals.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 17 Mar. 2024
The problem comes when one side of the building sinks faster or further than another side, potentially straining the building’s foundation or the pipes underneath.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
Preposition
Oh, and don’t worry; this backpack can fit both underneath your airplane seat and in the overhead compartment.
—L.a. Hubilla, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
There is also uneasiness as Highland Copper currently has mineral rights underneath parts of the state park, while the state only has the surface rights.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024
The Bobbin Cuff, for example, takes its cues from a spool of thread, and hides its watch underneath a yellow sapphire set in the gold.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
The goat was underneath the bridge, hopping around the support pillars.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2024
The sauce goes on liberally, and underneath it, the enchiladas are distinct.
—Joe Yonan, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
And even then, it’s been obscured underneath layers of seaweed — a cash crop harvested by locals.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2024
Scale squeeze test While standing, hold the scale in both hands, one on either side with the heels of your hands on top and fingers wrapped underneath the sides.
—Dana Santas, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
The clean formula also contains DHA and vitamin skin to treat the natural tone and texture underneath that tan.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2024
Adverb
The 42-year-old anchor wore a baby pink three-piece ensemble, which included a blazer, a vest underneath and a mini pencil skirt.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
For example, a Michigan resident who is part Irish and part Lebanese could check the box for White, then check the Irish box underneath, and then also check the MENA box, and check the Lebanese box underneath.
—Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 6 Apr. 2024
The video shows a bag, with feet sticking out from underneath, move up to the porch and swallow a package.
—Justine McDaniel, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
Then there was the undefined femininity of baby doll dresses with a t-shirt underneath or cropped cardigans with pleated skirts—think Cher Horowitz in Clueless or Kelly Taylor in Beverly Hills, 90210.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 3 Apr. 2024
Cook matzo brei, swirling pan a couple of times, until golden brown underneath and surface is no longer shiny and wet-looking, 2–3 minutes.
—Emma Laperruque, Bon Appétit, 1 Apr. 2024
The finding leads the researchers to believe there may be an older settlement buried underneath or near the one from the medieval period.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2024
Actress Octavia Spencer wore a sparkling black suit with a black satin camisole underneath and a pair of toe black sandals.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 17 Mar. 2024
The problem comes when one side of the building sinks faster or further than another side, potentially straining the building’s foundation or the pipes underneath.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near underneath
Cite this Entry
“Underneath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underneath. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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 adverb1
: 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
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