Definition underneath in British English

underneath adjective, adverb, noun, preposition

adjective, adverb, noun, preposition

/ˌʌndə(r)ˈniːθ/

Underneath can be used in the following ways:

as a preposition (followed by a noun): I took the gun and hid it underneath the sofa.

as an adverb (without a following noun): She left the buttons open to show a layer of silk underneath.Underneath he is a very pleasant man.

as an adjective: The underneath part is blue and grey.

as a singular noun (after ‘the’): Looking at the car, I could see that the underneath was rusty.

in, to, or through a place directly below something or directly covered by it

Example

I'll leave the key underneath the mat.

Example

Curtis was partially crushed underneath the helicopter as it hit the ground.

Example

Example

The child screamed once, and disappeared underneath the ice.

Example

The photographer's name was printed underneath.

Example

He opened his jacket to reveal a bullet-proof vest underneath.

Synonyms and related words

clothed encrusted crusted under below lower

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used for describing the lower surface of something that faces down

Example

The pancakes should be golden underneath.

Example

The animal has rough hair on its back and soft, silky fur underneath.

Example

The wound has healed on top, but the skin underneath is still very painful.

Example

The underneath of the car was badly damaged.

used for describing what someone or something is really like, despite how they may seem

Example

Example

Gary is a typical Highlander - tough on the outside but with a heart of gold underneath.

Example

It looks like a lot of fuss about nothing, but underneath there is a serious point.