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
Dana Oliver, Essence, 4 Mar. 2025
Upon arrival, officers, along with the Baltimore County Fire Department, were informed that two subjects were trapped underneath a concrete wall that had collapsed.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2025
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, the burgeoning family in the foreground give unmissable thrills throughout the day: Jackie and Shadow making their respective trips in and out of the nest, delivering fish or materials, and the parents’ frequent repositioning offer glimpses of the newborn chicks nestled underneath.
—Anusha Praturu, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underneath
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Preposition
Cinching the headrest cover around my entire head and wearing it underneath wool hats and berets.
—Dana Oliver, Essence, 4 Mar. 2025
Upon arrival, officers, along with the Baltimore County Fire Department, were informed that two subjects were trapped underneath a concrete wall that had collapsed.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2025
Adverb
The first notes that jump out on the nose and palate are ripe peach and apricot, with a hint of strawberry just underneath, all of which is rounded out by flavors of tropical fruit, citrus, green apple, and a bit of baking spice.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, the burgeoning family in the foreground give unmissable thrills throughout the day: Jackie and Shadow making their respective trips in and out of the nest, delivering fish or materials, and the parents’ frequent repositioning offer glimpses of the newborn chicks nestled underneath.
—Anusha Praturu, Vulture, 4 Mar. 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 13 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share