underneath
- 01 B1 Intermediate
prep.directly below something or covered by it.
prep.positioned directly below or beneath another object, often implying being covered or hidden by it.
Simple“I found my lost earring underneath the sofa while I was cleaning.”
In context“The researchers discovered a network of ancient tunnels running directly underneath the city's main square, hidden for centuries by modern pavement.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
adv.in a lower place or on the bottom side of something.
adv.at or to a lower place or the underside of an object.
Simple“The cake looked perfect on top, but it was still a bit raw underneath.”
In context“The bridge appeared sturdy from a distance, but a closer inspection revealed significant rust on the iron supports underneath.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the bottom part or the underside of something.
n.the lower part or bottom surface of an object.
Simple“The underneath of the car was covered in mud after the long drive.”
In context“To prevent further damage, the mechanic applied a protective coating to the underneath of the vehicle before the winter season began.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.describing a layer that is below another one.
adj.situated lower down or on the bottom; often used to describe layers of clothing or material.
Simple“She wore an underneath layer of thermal clothing to stay warm in the snow.”
In context“The artist applied a bright red underneath layer to the canvas, which added a subtle warmth to the final landscape painting.”
From Middle English undernethe, undernethen, from Old English underneoþan (“underneath”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *underniþer. Equivalent to under- + neath.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.