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
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 13 Oct. 2025
In the nearly two-minute preview, fans get a glimpse at how present her now-fiancé was behind the scenes, at one point crouching underneath the stage and grinning wide as the pop star bends down and kisses him on the cheek.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2025
PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2025
Style it over your favorite T-shirts on warmer days, then add a cozy sweater underneath in the evenings when chilly weather arrives.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underneath
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Preposition
The grounds crews can work on the grass sections in tight quarters underneath the concourses and get grow lamps on them even when they’re retracted.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 13 Oct. 2025
In the nearly two-minute preview, fans get a glimpse at how present her now-fiancé was behind the scenes, at one point crouching underneath the stage and grinning wide as the pop star bends down and kisses him on the cheek.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Even underneath, the wide PTFE feet give the MX Master 4 a smoother, more effortless glide than its predecessor.
—PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2025
Style it over your favorite T-shirts on warmer days, then add a cozy sweater underneath in the evenings when chilly weather arrives.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 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 17 Oct. 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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