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Definition under in British English

under adverb, preposition

adverb, preposition
/ˈʌndə(r)/

Under can be used in the following ways:

as a preposition (followed by a noun or number): There are piles of books under my desk.The total cost of the project is just under £2.2 million.The technology has been under development since the early 1980s.

as an adverb (without a following noun): Jump into the water and see how long you can stay under.Children aged five and under can get in for half-price.

1

directly below or at a lower level than something

1.1

directly below or at a lower level than something

Example

We took shelter under an oak tree.

Example

What are you kids doing under the table?

Example

You might like to place the dish under a hot grill just before serving.

Example

Charlotte saw a light coming from under the door.

Synonyms and related words
under below lower
1.2

covered by something

Example

She was wearing a money belt under her sweater.

Example

I found the letter under a pile of books.

Example

plants growing under plastic sheeting

Synonyms and related words
clothed encrusted crusted
1.3

moving to a place that is below something or that is covered by it

Example

I think the ball rolled under the sofa.

Example

Everyone ran under the trees when it started to rain.

Example

She slid under the quilt and closed her eyes.

Synonyms and related words
upward downward ascending
1.4

passing below something from one side to the other

Example

We drove under the bridge and came out into the High Street.

Example

The cord will have to go under the table and behind the couch.

Synonyms and related words
under below lower
1.5

below the surface of water

Example

The ducks kept diving under the water to catch fish.

Example

He was the first person to claim there was oil under the North Sea.

Example

She jumped in the pool and went under.

Synonyms and related words
under below lower
2

less than a particular amount, or younger than a particular age

Example

There is a working holiday scheme for British citizens, but you have to be under 26.

Example

Together they control just under 50% of the company.

Example

A visa is not required for a stay of under three months.

Example

The car can get from standstill up to 60 miles per hour in under six seconds.

Example

The nursery is open for children aged four and under.

Synonyms and related words
a 3-year-old/10-month-old etc age age less under least
3

in the process of being affected or controlled by a particular action, situation, or state

Example

The ship came under attack from enemy aircraft.

Example

A number of proposals are under consideration.

Example

The building is still under construction.

Example

Costello's business dealings have been under investigation by the FBI for months.

Example

I've been under a lot of stress at work lately.

Example

Police claim the situation is now under control.

Example

Evidence suggests that the driver of the car was under the influence of drugs.

4

used for saying that something happens when particular conditions exist

Example

His older brother was forced to leave Hong Kong the year before under similar circumstances.

Example

The UN inspectors would be allowed access to the eight sites, but only under certain conditions.

Example

Under the circumstances, Kane felt he had no option but to resign.

5

according to a particular law, agreement, or system

Example

Under the terms of the agreement, our company will receive 40% of the profits.

Example

The boy is considered a minor under British law.

Example

All individuals have basic human rights, that are recognized under international law.

Synonyms and related words
according to under by
6

used for stating that something happens when a particular person or government is in power

Example

The book describes life in Russia under the Soviet regime.

Example

Dr Owen had served as Foreign Secretary under the previous government.

Example

Some former conservatives are returning to the party under the new leader.

7

using a particular name in official situations, often a name that is not your own

Example

Carson had been travelling under a false name.

Example

Wight's books, published under the pen name James Herriot, became best-sellers.

Example

Ms Hay has continued to work under her maiden name since her marriage.

Synonyms and related words
after assignment better known as
8

if you work or study under a particular person, they are your employer or teacher

Example

I've worked under a few managers in my time, and Mr Laurie is undoubtedly the best.

Example

He studied under Chomsky in the 1960s.

Synonyms and related words
academic advanced applied
9

if something is under a particular section, word, letter etc, this is where it can be found

Example

Look under Section Q and you'll find all the details.

Example

Those forms are in the filing cabinet under 'Miscellaneous'.

Example

The tickets should be under the name 'Carlson'.

10

unconscious after being given a drug to prevent you from feeling pain

Example

The nurse was still speaking as I felt myself going under.

Synonyms and related words
asleep unconscious comatose
11

believing that something is happening or is true, especially when you are wrong about this

Example

I was under the impression that Faye had paid for the trip herself - but it seems I was wrong.

Example

Several players are under treatment for injuries.

Example

She's been under the doctor for her skin problems.

Example

Many of the victims were under sedation after the attack.

13

during a particular period of the Zodiac

Example

I was born under the sign of Taurus, the bull.

Synonyms and related words
Aquarius Aries astrologer
Definition under in British English

Related Words

Words related to under:

arrest (verb) bags under your eyes (phrase) be oath (phrase) under the wing of (phrase) bubble under (phrasal verb) come under (phrasal verb) come under fire (phrase) under the hammer (phrase) cut the ground from under someone’s feet (phrase) down under (adverb) down under (noun) draw a line under something (phrase) drink someone under the table (phrase) fall under someone’s (phrase) get under someone’s skin (phrase) something under your belt (phrase) go under (phrasal verb) hide your light under a bushel (phrase) hot under the collar (phrase) keep something under wraps (phrase) keep something under your hat (phrase) labour under (phrasal verb) light a fire under someone (phrase) not let the grass grow under your feet () pain of something (phrase) pop-under (noun) pull the rug (out) from under someone (phrase) put the skids something (phrase) put under (phrasal verb) six feet under (phrase) snowed under (phrase) sweep something under the carpet (phrase) under (adverb, preposition) under a cloud (phrase) under an obligation (phrase) under arms (phrase) under canvas (phrase) under control (phrase) under cover (phrase) under cover of (phrase) under escort (phrase) under guard (phrase) under heaven (phrase) under licence (phrase) under lock and key (phrase) under negotiation (phrase) under observation (phrase) under offer (phrase) under pressure (phrase) under protest (phrase) under sail (phrase) under separate cover (phrase) under siege (phrase) under someone’s (phrase) under someone’s critical eye (phrase) under someone’s eye (phrase) under someone’s feet (phrase) under someone’s heel (phrase) under someone’s nose (phrase) under someone’s roof (phrase) under someone’s sway (phrase) under someone’s thumb (phrase) under someone’s wing (phrase) under starter’s orders (phrase) under suspicion (phrase) under the banner of something (phrase) under the cosh (phrase) under the counter (phrase) under the gun (phrase) under the influence (phrase) under the knife (phrase) under the microscope (phrase) under the name of something (phrase) under the same roof (phrase) under the stars (phrase) under the sun (phrase) under the watchful eye of someone (phrase) under the weather (phrase) under the wire (phrase) under threat (phrase) under watch (phrase) under your breath (phrase) under your own steam (phrase) under- (prefix) under-the-counter (adjective) under-the-table (adjective) false pretences (phrase) the guise of (phrase) water under the bridge (phrase)