un·der·neath
ˌən-dər-ˈnēth 
1
a
: directly beneath
write the date underneath the address
b
: close under especially so as to be hidden
treachery lying underneath a mask of friendliness
wore a swimsuit underneath his slacks
2
: under subjection to
underneath
adjective
Examples of underneath in a Sentence
Preposition
He hid the envelope underneath his coat.
She slipped a note underneath the door.
The ball rolled underneath the car.
He lives in the apartment underneath mine.
There was gum stuck underneath the table.
Underneath her calm exterior was a nervous woman with a hot temper.
They actually had a lot in common underneath their obvious differences.
Adverb
He wore a white sweater with a red shirt underneath.
She lifted up the rock and found ants crawling underneath.
The car had rust underneath.
Recent Examples on the Web
Laura Sullivan, NPR, 8 June 2025
Read’s defense team has sought to prove that she was framed for the death of O’Keefe, who was found underneath the snow outside the home of another cop in January 2022 after the couple went out drinking one night with friends.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 June 2025
Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Put on your favorite T-shirt or tank top underneath and head out the door.
—Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for underneath
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Preposition
They were set back from the river's edge, elevated on stout, concrete foundations, with wide openings underneath – flood vents – meant to let flood waters flow through.
—Laura Sullivan, NPR, 8 June 2025
Read’s defense team has sought to prove that she was framed for the death of O’Keefe, who was found underneath the snow outside the home of another cop in January 2022 after the couple went out drinking one night with friends.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 June 2025
Adverb
In the video, the tabby kitten can be seen lying down near the closet door, pretending to have his paw stuck underneath to get his mom to open it for him.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Put on your favorite T-shirt or tank top underneath and head out the door.
—Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for underneath
Cite this Entry
“Underneath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underneath. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underneath
1 of 2 preposition
un·der·neath
ˌən-dər-ˈnēth
1
: right under
wore their bathing suits underneath their clothes
2
: under the control of
underneath
2 of 2 adverb1
: under or below an object or an outside part
soaked through the jacket to the shirt underneath
2
: on the lower side
a pot blackened underneath
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