Words / B1

bi-NEETH/bɪˈniːθ/

Beneath places one thing in a lower position than another: beneath the surface; beneath the table. Under is the everyday twin; below often compares levels or numbers (below zero). Underneath is close and a little more physical. Beneath can also mean “not good enough for”: beneath her dignity — a more formal extra. Do not use beneath for “later in a document” — that is below.

Meaning

In or to a lower position than something; under.

Examples

• “The keys were beneath a pile of papers.”
• “The tunnel runs beneath the river.”
• “He felt the job was beneath him after ten years in management.”

Good to know

beneath the surface / table. Everyday: under. Numbers / text: below. Physical: underneath. Formal: beneath one’s dignity.

Near in meaning

under

New