Beneath — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adverb preposition /bi-ˈnēth/ be·neath

Meaning & Definition of Beneath

Beneath (adverb)

  1. in or to a lower position, below
  2. directly under, underneath

Beneath (preposition)

  1. in or to a lower position than, below
  2. directly under
  3. at the foot of

Beneath (preposition) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. in a lower position than

    "sat beneath him, on the floor, for the group photo"

    similar: below, neath (dialect), under
    related: underneath
    opposite: above, over

Beneath (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. in or to a lower place

    "a ranch house with all of the rooms on one floor and a combined basement and garage beneath"

    related: beside, near, nearby
    opposite: up

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Beneath

The most common words with a similar meaning to Beneath:

Dialect: neath

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Beneath

Words with the opposite meaning of Beneath:

Near Antonyms of Beneath

Origin & Etymology of Beneath

Middle English benethe, from Old English beneothan, from be- + neothan below; akin to Old English nithera nether nether

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Beneath

Words & Phrases Containing Beneath

Frequently Asked Questions about Beneath

What does "Beneath" mean?

"Beneath" means in or to a lower position, below. As an an adverb and a preposition, it is defined as: in or to a lower position, below. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Beneath"?

Other words for "Beneath" include below, neath, under and underneath. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Beneath" you intend.

What is the opposite of "Beneath"?

Antonyms of "Beneath" include above, over and up. Near antonyms include aloft and overhead.

How do you use "Beneath" in a sentence?

Examples of "Beneath" in a sentence: "sat beneath him, on the floor, for the group photo"; "a ranch house with all of the rooms on one floor and a combined basement and garage beneath".

Is "Beneath" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Beneath" can be used as an adverb and a preposition, depending on the context.

Is "Beneath" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Beneath" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Beneath"?

"Beneath" is pronounced /bi-ˈnēth/ and divided into syllables as be·neath.

What is the origin of the word "Beneath"?

"Beneath" comes from Middle English benethe, from Old English beneothan, from be- + neothan below; akin to Old English nithera nether nether. First known use: before 12th century.