beneath
- 01 B1 Intermediate
prep.directly under or at a lower level than something else.
prep.in or to a lower physical position than something; directly underneath.
Simple“The cat was sleeping peacefully beneath the kitchen table.”
In context“The researchers discovered a network of ancient tunnels running directly beneath the city's modern financial district.”
UsageOften used in place of 'under' to sound more descriptive or formal.
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
prep.hidden or covered by something on the surface.
prep.covered or concealed by a surface layer, whether physical or metaphorical.
Simple“Beneath his calm face, he was actually very nervous about the speech.”
In context“Beneath the polite exterior of the negotiations lay a deep-seated distrust between the two rival corporations.”
UsageFrequently used to describe emotions or qualities that are not immediately visible.
- 03 C1 Advanced
prep.lower in status or not good enough for someone's social position.
prep.lower in rank, status, or worth; often used to describe behavior considered unsuitable for one's dignity.
Simple“She felt that doing the dishes was beneath her.”
In context“The aristocrat considered it beneath his dignity to engage in a public argument with a common shopkeeper.”
Teacher's tipThis sense often carries a tone of arrogance or strict social hierarchy.
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
adv.in a lower place or on a lower level.
adv.at a lower level or layer; functions as an adverbial modifier without a following noun phrase.
Simple“The peaks were covered in snow, but the valley beneath was green.”
In context“From the cliff top, they watched the waves crashing against the jagged rocks far beneath.”
SynonymsAntonyms
Usage beneath the surface · beneath our feet · beneath the rubble
“Beneath Ceesay's bed sits a small cardboard box, its edges worn with age.”
“As the moon orbits and the Earth rotates beneath it, that shadow races across our planet, tracing a thin ribbon where, for a few extraordinary minutes, day turns suddenly to darkness.”
From Middle English benethe, from Old English bineoþan (“beneath, under, below”), equivalent to be- + neath. Cognate with Low German benedden (“beneath”), Dutch beneden (“beneath, under, down”), obsolete German benieden (“below”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.