Underneath — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

preposition adverb adjective /ˌən-dər-ˈnēth/ un·der·neath

Meaning & Definition of Underneath

Underneath (preposition)

  1. directly beneath
  2. close under especially so as to be hidden
  3. under subjection to

Underneath (adverb)

  1. under or below an object or a surface, beneath
  2. on the lower side

Underneath (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. in or to a lower place

    "the ball rolled under the porch, so you'll have to crawl underneath to get it"

    similar: below, beneath, under
    related: beside, near, nearby
    opposite: up
    near: aloft, overhead

Underneath (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in lower, below

    similar: below, lower, nether, under, bottommost, lowermost, lowest, nethermost, rock-bottom, undermost, low, lowered, low-lying, sunken
    opposite: highest, loftiest, top, topmost, upmost, uppermost, higher, loftier, upper, consummate, maximal, maximized, maximum, peaked, supreme, utmost, uttermost

Underneath (preposition) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in under, beneath

    similar: below, beneath, under, across, along, alongside, beyond, near, nearby, over, outside, past, by, through, via, throughout

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Underneath

The most common words with a similar meaning to Underneath:

below, beneath, under, lower, nether, bottommost, lowermost, lowest, nethermost, rock-bottom, undermost, low, lowered, low-lying, sunken, across, along, alongside, beyond, near, nearby, over, outside, past, by, through, via, throughout

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Underneath

Words with the opposite meaning of Underneath:

up, highest, loftiest, top, topmost, upmost, uppermost, higher, loftier, upper, consummate, maximal, maximized, maximum, peaked, supreme, utmost, uttermost

Related Words for Underneath

beside

Near Antonyms of Underneath

aloft, overhead

Word Forms of Underneath

Derived words: underneath (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Underneath

Middle English undernethe, preposition & adverb, from Old English underneothan, from under + neothan below beneath

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Underneath

underneath it all, the underneath

Frequently Asked Questions about Underneath

What does "Underneath" mean?

"Underneath" means directly beneath. As an a preposition, an adverb and an adjective, it is defined as: directly beneath. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Underneath"?

Other words for "Underneath" include below, beneath, under, lower, nether, bottommost, lowermost and lowest. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Underneath" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Underneath"?

There are 29 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Underneath". Common alternatives include below, beneath, under, lower, nether, bottommost, lowermost, lowest, nethermost and rock-bottom.

What is the opposite of "Underneath"?

Antonyms of "Underneath" include up, highest, loftiest, top, topmost, upmost, uppermost and higher. Near antonyms include aloft and overhead.

How do you use "Underneath" in a sentence?

Examples of "Underneath" in a sentence: "the ball rolled under the porch, so you'll have to crawl underneath to get it".

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

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

How do you pronounce "Underneath"?

"Underneath" is pronounced /ˌən-dər-ˈnēth/ and divided into syllables as un·der·neath.

What is the origin of the word "Underneath"?

"Underneath" comes from Middle English undernethe, preposition & adverb, from Old English underneothan, from under + neothan below beneath. First known use: before 12th century.