under
gb/ˈʌndɚ/ us/ˈʌndɚ/
A1
English
~ 1800
alatt, vonatkozik, kevesebb mint, alá, alul, alul-, hiányos létszámú, átlagon aluli
A1
1
alatt
A1
Usage pattern:
under [something]
The cat is hiding under the bed.
A macska az ágy alatt rejtőzik.
We sat under the tree for shade.
A fa alatt ültünk az árnyékban.
The boat passed under the bridge.
She wore a sweater under her coat.
The keys are under the newspaper.
Learner examples
The ball is under the chair.
A labda a szék alatt van.
He is under the blanket.
A takaró alatt van.
The shoes are under the table.
The dog sleeps under the tree.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'under' with 'below'. 'Below' is often used for measurements or levels, while 'under' is for physical position or being covered by something.
Meaning
in a lower position
Collocations
under the table
|under the bed
|under the bridge
|under the surface
Synonyms
beneath (Slightly more formal or literary, but same physical meaning.)
Antonyms
above (Indicates a higher position instead of a lower one.)
Themes
space
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Lower than or covered by something.
In a position that is below or beneath something else.
B1
2
alatt
B1
vonatkozik
B1
Usage pattern:
under [condition/influence]
The company is under investigation.
A vállalat vizsgálat alatt áll.
She worked well under pressure.
Jól dolgozott nyomás alatt.
The troops are under orders to remain still.
We are under new management now.
Under the law, you must pay taxes.
Learner examples
He is under stress at work.
A munkahelyén stressz alatt van.
The city is under new rules.
A városra új szabályok vonatkoznak.
She is under the teacher’s control.
They are under attack.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'under' for all influences; in some cases 'because of' or 'due to' is more natural.
Meaning
affected by something
Collocations
under pressure
|under control
|under the law
|under orders
Synonyms
subject to (More formal; used in legal or official contexts.)
Antonyms
free from (Indicates not being affected or controlled by something.)
Themes
society
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Being in a situation where something affects or controls you.
Experiencing or controlled by a particular condition, influence, or authority.
A2
3
alatt
A2
Usage pattern:
under [number/amount/age]
Children under 12 get in free.
A 12 év alatti gyerekeknek ingyenes a belépés.
The repairs cost under $100.
A javítás kevesebb mint 100 dollárba került.
It took under an hour to finish.
There were under 50 people at the meeting.
Learner examples
I am under 18 years old.
18 év alatti vagyok.
This book is under $5.
Ez a könyv kevesebb mint 5 dollárba kerül.
We waited under 10 minutes.
The bag weighs under 2 kilos.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'below' for amounts; 'below' is possible but less common for age and money.
Meaning
less than a number/amount
Collocations
under 18
|under $10
|under 5 minutes
Synonyms
less than (Direct numerical comparison; interchangeable in many cases.)
Antonyms
over (More than a certain number, amount, or age.)
Themes
measurement
|statistics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Smaller in number, amount, or age than something.
Less than a stated number, amount, or age.
B1
4
He dived and swam under.
Lebukott, és a víz alatt úszott.
The submarine disappeared under quickly.
A tengeralattjáró gyorsan a víz alá merült.
She looked under to see what was there.
Learner examples
He went under to get the ring.
A víz alá merült, hogy megszerezze a gyűrűt.
The fish swam under quickly.
A hal gyorsan aláúszott.
Look under to find it.
Meaning
in a lower position/place
Synonyms
below (Often interchangeable in spatial contexts, but 'below' can be more formal.)
Antonyms
above (In a higher place instead of lower.)
Themes
space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a place lower than something else.
In or to a position beneath something else.
B2
5
His performance was under par today.
A teljesítménye ma átlagon aluli volt.
The team is under strength this season.
A csapat ebben a szezonban hiányos létszámú.
Learner examples
The food was under par.
Az étel átlagon aluli volt.
Our team is under strength today.
A csapatunk ma hiányos létszámú.
Meaning
below standard level
Collocations
under strength
|under par
Synonyms
substandard (More formal; often used in official assessments.)
Antonyms
above average (Better than the normal standard.)
Themes
evaluation
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not as good, big, or strong as expected.
Below the usual or expected standard in quality, performance, or quantity (often as a prefix).
Grammar
Dictionary form
under
IPA
GB/ˈʌndɚ/
US/ˈʌndɚ/
Syllables & stress
un - der (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (un)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: under
Word family
Core family
underneath
preposition, adverb A2
underline
verb A2
underwear
noun A2
underground
adjective, adverb A2
underwater
adjective, adverb A2
Related words
Advanced or less common
Expressions
come under fire
1/kˈʌm ˈʌndɚ fˈaɪɚ/
idiom
receive strong criticism
To be criticized strongly by many people.
Examples
- The minister came under fire for his comments.
- The company came under fire over its safety record.
go under
1/ɡˈoʊ ˈʌndɚ/
phrasal verb
fail financially and close (business)
When a business fails and stops working because it has no money.
Examples
- Many small shops went under during the recession.
- If we lose this client, we could go under.
under way
1/ˈʌndɚ wˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
started and continuing process
Already started and happening now.
Examples
- The project is now under way.
- Repairs are under way after the storm.
under control
1/ˈʌndɚ kəntɹˈoʊl/
fixed phrase
successfully managed situation
When a problem or situation is being managed well and is not getting worse.
Examples
- The police finally got the situation under control.
- The fire is now under control.
- The disease is now under control thanks to vaccination.
- Everything is finally under control after the chaos.
under pressure
1/ˈʌndɚ pɹˈɛʃɚ/
fixed phrase
Experiencing stress from demands
Feeling stress because you have to do something difficult or important.
Examples
- I work better when I'm under pressure.
- She’s under a lot of pressure before exams.
under pressure
2/ˈʌndɚ pɹˈɛʃɚ/
fixed phrase
experiencing stress or demands
In a situation where you feel stressed because of many demands or problems.
Examples
- She performs well under pressure.
- I'm really under pressure at work this week.