Words / A2

und-uh-NEETH/ˌʌndəˈniːθ/

Underneath means directly below: underneath the table, the label underneath, from underneath. Under is shorter and very common; underneath often feels more “right below / covered by”. Below can be more general. Do not write underneath when you mean underwear, or understand.

Meaning

Directly below something.

Examples

• “The cat was asleep underneath the table.”
• “There is a spare key underneath the flowerpot.”
• “The cable ran underneath the carpet.”

Good to know

underneath the table / from underneath. Shorter cousin: under. Mix-up: underwear.

Near in meaning

under

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