ENGLISH
REFERENCE

under

prep. · adv. · adj. · n.
US //ˈəndɝ// UK //ˈʌndɐ// un·der
  1. 1 physically below (prep.)
    A1 Beginner

    below or beneath something else.

    positioned directly below or beneath another object, often being covered or hidden by it.

    Example

    The cat is sleeping under the kitchen table.

    Example

    The researchers discovered a network of ancient tunnels hidden deep under the city's foundations.
  2. 2 less than (prep.)
    A1 Beginner

    lower than a specific number, age, or amount.

    indicating a quantity, age, or price that is lower than a specified limit.

    Example

    Children under five years old can enter the museum for free.

    Example

    The project was completed in under three months, significantly ahead of the original schedule.
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  1. 3 controlled by (prep.)
    B1 Intermediate

    controlled or managed by a person, a rule, or a government.

    subject to the authority, control, or management of a specific entity or system.

    Example

    The country flourished under the new leadership.

    Example

    Under the current regulations, all staff members must complete safety training before using the heavy machinery.
    • subject to
    • governed by
  2. 4 using a name (prep.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    using a particular name or title that is not your real one.

    adopting or using a specific name, identity, or heading for a particular purpose.

    Example

    The famous author wrote several detective novels under a different name.

    Example

    The document was filed under a pseudonym to protect the identity of the whistleblower.
  3. 5 to a lower position (adv.)
    A2 Elementary

    to a position below something else.

    moving or being in a position beneath or lower than something else.

    Example

    The boat hit a rock and quickly went under.

    Example

    The swimmer took a deep breath and went under, disappearing beneath the surface of the lake for nearly a minute.
  4. 6 unconscious (adv.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Medicine

    in a state of deep sleep or unconsciousness, usually because of medicine.

    in a state of unconsciousness, particularly when induced by general anesthesia.

    Example

    The patient was already under when the surgeon entered the room.

    Example

    It took several minutes for the anesthesia to take full effect and put the patient under for the procedure.
  5. 7 lower (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    lower in position or rank.

    situated in a lower position or belonging to a lower rank or class.

    Example

    He wore an under layer of clothing to stay warm in the snow.

    Example

    The under secretary handled the administrative details while the minister focused on policy negotiations.
  6. 8 betting on a low score (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Informal Technical Sport

    a bet that the total score in a game will be lower than a certain number.

    a wager predicting that the combined score or a specific statistic will fall below a predetermined value.

    Example

    I decided to bet on the under because both teams have very strong defenses.

    Example

    Professional gamblers often analyze defensive efficiency ratings before deciding whether to take the under on a high-profile matchup.

    Usage

    Often used in the phrase 'the over/under'.
Origin

From Middle English under, from Old English under, from Proto-West Germanic undar, from Proto-Germanic under, from a merger of Proto-Indo-European (H)n̥dʰér (“under”) and h₁entér (“inside”). Akin to German unter, Dutch onder, Danish and Norwegian under; also Old High German untar (“under”), Sanskrit अन्तर् (antar, “within”), Latin infrā (“below, beneath”) and inter (“between, among”).

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