American Dictionary

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Definition beneath in American English

beneath adverb, preposition

adverb, preposition
/bɪˈniθ/

Beneath can be used in the following ways:

as a preposition (followed by a noun): the ground beneath your feet

as an adverb (without a following noun): People waved from the bridge as the boat passed beneath.

1

directly under something or at a lower level

Example

We took shelter beneath a huge oak tree.

Example

They slept outside beneath the stars.

Example

His face was hidden beneath a large brimmed hat.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

under the surface of the ground or water

Example

These pieces of pottery had been buried beneath the earth for thousands of years.

Example

the waters of the Timor Sea and the coral reefs that lie beneath

Synonyms and related words
1.2

covered by something

Example

His frail body lay beneath the blankets.

Example

She pulled a dagger from beneath her cloak.

Synonyms and related words
2

used for saying that someone's appearance and behavior do not show their real character or feelings

Example

She seemed quite calm on the surface, but a great deal of anger lay beneath.

3

if a particular action or activity is beneath you, you think that you are better than people who do this

Example

Burke regarded it as beneath him to do business with such people.

Synonyms and related words
Definition beneath in American English