below
gb/bɪlˈoʊ/ us/bɪlˈoʊ/
A2
English
~ 1700
alatt, alá, lent, alábbi, lejjebb, alatti
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] below [something]
The valley lies below the mountain.
A völgy a hegy alatt fekszik.
Temperatures dropped below zero last night.
Tegnap éjjel nulla fok alá süllyedt a hőmérséklet.
Her grades are below the class average.
We could see the fish swimming below the surface.
The basement is directly below the living room.
Learner examples
The shoes are below the bed.
A cipők az ágy alatt vannak.
My house is below the hill.
A házam a domb alatt van.
The sun is below the clouds.
The ball is below the table.
The pen is below the book.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'below' and 'under'. 'Below' is often used for levels or measurements, while 'under' can mean directly beneath or covered by something.
Meaning
In a lower place or position
Collocations
below the surface
|below average
|below zero
|below ground
Synonyms
under (More common in everyday speech for physical position directly beneath.)
Antonyms
above (Indicates a higher position instead of a lower one.)
Themes
spatial
|daily life
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a place lower than something else.
At a position that is lower than something else.
A2
2
Please refer to the notes below.
Kérjük, nézze meg az alábbi jegyzeteket.
The kitchen is below, on the first floor.
A konyha lent van, az első emeleten.
You will find further details below.
His office is two floors below.
The answers are listed below.
Learner examples
Look at the picture below.
Nézd meg az alábbi képet.
We live two floors below.
Két emelettel lejjebb lakunk.
Read the text below.
The shop is just below.
The list is below.
Meaning
Lower down or underneath
Collocations
see below
|as mentioned below
Synonyms
underneath (Implies being directly beneath something, often hidden.)
Antonyms
above (Indicates being at a higher place or level.)
Themes
spatial
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a lower place than where you are talking about.
At a lower place, level, or layer than something mentioned.
B1
3
Usage pattern:
[something] below [a number/level]
Children below 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
A 12 év alatti gyermekeket felnőttnek kell kísérnie.
Her test score was below the national average.
A teszteredménye az országos átlag alatt volt.
The temperature fell below freezing.
He earns below minimum wage.
Water boils at temperatures well above 100°C, but freezes below 0°C.
Learner examples
The price is below ten dollars.
Az ár tíz dollár alatt van.
My score is below 50 points.
A pontszámom 50 pont alatt van.
It is below zero today.
Your speed is below the limit.
My age is below 18.
Meaning
Less than a certain amount or standard
Collocations
below average income
|below freezing point
Synonyms
under (Often interchangeable in measurement contexts but 'below' is slightly more formal.)
Antonyms
above (Indicates more than a certain number, amount, or standard.)
Themes
measurement
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Lower than a number or level that is given.
Less than a stated number, amount, or standard.
Grammar
Dictionary form
below
IPA
GB/bɪlˈoʊ/
US/bɪlˈoʊ/
Syllables & stress
be - low (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (low)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: below
- Plural: belows
Word family
Expressions
see below
1/sˈi bɪlˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
Refer to later part of text
Look at information that comes later on this page or document.
Examples
- For more details, see below.
- The answer can be found in the section marked 'Notes'—see below.
below average
1/bɪlˈoʊ ˈævɚɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
worse or lower than normal
Worse or lower than what is usual.
Examples
- His test score was below average this term.
- The temperature today is below average for July.
below average
2/bɪlˈoʊ ˈævɚɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
Worse or less than normal level
Lower in quality or amount than most others of the same kind.
Examples
- His performance this season has been below average.
- The test results were slightly below average.
below the belt
1/bɪlˈoʊ ðə bˈɛlt/
idiom
informal
Unfair or cruel remark or action
To say or do something unfair that hurts someone badly, especially in an argument or competition.
Examples
- That comment about her family was really below the belt.
- Criticizing his illness was hitting below the belt.
below the belt
2/bɪlˈoʊ ðə bˈɛlt/
idiom
Unfairly hurtful action or remark
Something that is unfair and hurts someone, especially in an argument or competition.
Examples
- That comment about his family was below the belt.
- Criticizing her appearance was really below the belt.