underneath

UK: /ˌʌndə^rˈniːθ/

US: /ˌʌndɚˈniθ, -ˈnið/

US: (un′dər nēth′, -nēᵺ′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

un•der•neath /ˌʌndɚˈniθ, -ˈnið/   prep. 

1. below the surface of;
   directly beneath:
   underneath the soil.
2. at the bottom of:
   exploration underneath the sea.
3. under the control of;
   in a lower position than:
   underneath the prime minister.
4. hidden or disguised by:
   Underneath his bluster is a timid nature.

adv. 

5. below;
   at a lower level or position;
   on the underside.

adj. 

6. situated below or under something else;
   lower.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

un•der•neath  (un′dər nēth′, -nēᵺ′), prep. 

1. below the surface or level of;
   directly or vertically beneath;
   at or on the bottom of.
2. under the control of;
   in a lower position in a hierarchy of authority:
   Underneath the department heads are the junior executives.
3. hidden, disguised, or misrepresented, as by a false appearance or pretense:
   Underneath his bluster is a timid nature.

adv. 

4. below;
   at a lower level or position;
   on the underside.

adj. 

5. lower;
   situated below or under.

n. 

6. the bottom;
   underside;
   lowest part.

• Middle English undernethe, Old English underneothan. See under, beneath bef. 900

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

underneath / ˌʌndəˈniːθ/ preposition , adverb

1. under; beneath

adjective

1. lower

noun

1. a lower part, surface, etc

Etymology: Old English underneothan, from under + neothan below; related to Old Danish underneden; see beneath