# underneath

/ˌəndɝˈniθ/ (US) · /ˌʌndənˈiːθ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. directly below

preposition · CEFR B1

directly below something or covered by it.

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

- I found my lost earring underneath the sofa while I was cleaning.
- The researchers discovered a network of ancient tunnels running directly underneath the city's main square, hidden for centuries by modern pavement.

### 2. on the lower side

adverb · CEFR B1

in a lower place or on the bottom side of something.

For teachers: at or to a lower place or the underside of an object.

- The cake looked perfect on top, but it was still a bit raw underneath.
- The bridge appeared sturdy from a distance, but a closer inspection revealed significant rust on the iron supports underneath.

### 3. the bottom part

noun · CEFR B2

the bottom part or the underside of something.

For teachers: the lower part or bottom surface of an object.

- The underneath of the car was covered in mud after the long drive.
- To prevent further damage, the mechanic applied a protective coating to the underneath of the vehicle before the winter season began.

### 4. lower layer

adjective · CEFR B2

describing a layer that is below another one.

For teachers: situated lower down or on the bottom; often used to describe layers of clothing or material.

- She wore an underneath layer of thermal clothing to stay warm in the snow.
- The artist applied a bright red underneath layer to the canvas, which added a subtle warmth to the final landscape painting.

## Examples

- The cat is hiding underneath.
- The floorboards looked old, but the original hardwood was still in perfect condition underneath.
- The surface of the lake appeared calm, but a powerful current was moving dangerously underneath.

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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.