English Reference

Word

below

Phoneticsbe·low, stress on the second syllable

US/biˈɫoʊ/

UK/bɪlˈəʊ/

Definitions

01lower in position

A1 · Beginner

prep. in a lower place than something else.

prep. at or to a lower level or position than something.

“The sun disappeared below the horizon as evening began.”

“From the mountain peak, we could see the tiny village nestled in the valley far below the clouds.”

Antonyms

02less than a number

A2 · Elementary

prep. lower than a particular amount, level, or temperature.

prep. lower than a specific quantity, degree, or limit on a scale.

“The temperature dropped below zero during the night.”

“The company reported that profits had fallen significantly below the targets set by the board of directors last year.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

03lower in rank

B2 · Upper Intermediate

prep. lower in importance or rank than someone else.

prep. lower in status, rank, or importance within a hierarchy.

“In the army, a captain is below a major.”

“The junior researchers are positioned below the senior fellows in the laboratory's administrative structure.”

Synonyms

undersubordinate to

Antonyms

04at a lower level

A2 · Elementary

adv. at or to a lower place or floor.

adv. at or to a lower level or position; often used to refer to a lower deck on a ship.

“We live on the top floor and the owners live below.”

“The captain ordered the crew to go below as the storm intensified and waves began crashing over the deck.”

Antonyms

05later in a text

B1 · Intermediate Academic

adv. further down on the same page or later in a document.

adv. further down in a written document or on a printed page.

“Please see the table below for more details about the prices.”

“The specific methodology used for the data collection is described in detail in the section provided below.”

Antonyms

Usage

Commonly used to indicate position relative to a surface or a point on a vertical scale.

Pitfall

The ball is below of the table.

The ball is below the table.

Unlike 'in front of' or 'on top of', 'below' is a simple preposition and does not take 'of'.

Etymology

From Middle English bilooghe, equivalent to be- + low. Compare also earlier Middle English alogh, alow, aloȝ, alowe (“below”), benethen (“beneath”), Dutch omlaag (“downwards”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Domain

Nautical

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
Frequency
Very common
Level
A1 · BeginnerOxford
Updated

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English Reference