# under

/ˈəndɝ/ (US) · /ˈʌndɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/under
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. physically below

preposition · CEFR A1

below or beneath something else.

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

- The cat is sleeping under the kitchen table.
- The researchers discovered a network of ancient tunnels hidden deep under the city's foundations.

### 2. less than

preposition · CEFR A1

lower than a specific number, age, or amount.

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

- Children under five years old can enter the museum for free.
- The project was completed in under three months, significantly ahead of the original schedule.

### 3. controlled by

preposition · CEFR B1

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

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

- The country flourished under the new leadership.
- Under the current regulations, all staff members must complete safety training before using the heavy machinery.

### 4. using a name

preposition · CEFR B2

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

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

- The famous author wrote several detective novels under a different name.
- The document was filed under a pseudonym to protect the identity of the whistleblower.

### 5. to a lower position

adverb · CEFR A2

to a position below something else.

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

- The boat hit a rock and quickly went under.
- The swimmer took a deep breath and went under, disappearing beneath the surface of the lake for nearly a minute.

### 6. unconscious

adverb · CEFR C1 · Informal

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

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

- The patient was already under when the surgeon entered the room.
- It took several minutes for the anesthesia to take full effect and put the patient under for the procedure.

### 7. lower

adjective · CEFR B2

lower in position or rank.

For teachers: situated in a lower position or belonging to a lower rank or class.

- He wore an under layer of clothing to stay warm in the snow.
- The under secretary handled the administrative details while the minister focused on policy negotiations.

### 8. betting on a low score

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal · Technical

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

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

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

## Examples

- The cat is sleeping under the table.
- The hikers took shelter under a large rock during the sudden afternoon rainstorm.
- The ancient ruins remained buried under layers of volcanic ash for centuries before being rediscovered by local farmers.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.