beneath
gb/bɪnˈiθ/ us/bɪnˈiθ/
A2
Anglais
~ 1900
Sens
0 sens
preposition
A2
relation
1
In a lower position
In a lower place than something else.
Schéma d’usage :
beneath [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'beneath' and 'under'; 'beneath' is often used in more formal or descriptive contexts, while 'under' is more common in casual speech.
Synonymes
under (More common in everyday speech; 'beneath' can sound slightly more formal or literary.)
Antonymes
above (Indicates a higher position, the opposite of being beneath.)
Collocations
beneath the surface
|beneath the waves
|beneath the soil
|beneath the table
Thèmes
space
|location
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The keys were hidden beneath the newspaper.
- A layer of dust lay beneath the bed.
- Beneath the city streets lies a network of tunnels.
- The valley lies beneath towering mountains.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The shoes are beneath the bed.
- The cat sleeps beneath the table.
- We sat beneath a big tree.
- He found coins beneath the sofa.
preposition
B2
relation
2
Lower in rank or status
Lower in importance or position than someone or something else.
Schéma d’usage :
beneath [someone/something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may interpret this literally as a physical position instead of understanding it as referring to rank or status.
Synonymes
below (Can be used for rank or status but is more common in numerical or level-based contexts.)
Antonymes
above (Indicates higher rank or status.)
Collocations
beneath his dignity
|beneath her rank
|beneath their notice
Thèmes
hierarchy
|society
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- He felt the job was beneath his dignity.
- Such tasks are beneath her professional standing.
- They considered manual labor beneath them.
Exemples pédagogiques
- He thinks this work is beneath him.
- The job is beneath her skills.
- They feel it is beneath their level.
adverb
literary
C1
relation
3
In a lower place
In a place lower than something else.
Erreur fréquente :
Learners often confuse adverbial 'beneath' with prepositional usage; here it stands alone without an object.
Synonymes
below ('Below' is more common and neutral; 'beneath' as an adverb is more literary.)
Antonymes
above (Refers to being in a higher place.)
Collocations
far beneath
|deep beneath
Thèmes
space
|literature
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The valley lay far beneath.
- She could see the river flowing quietly beneath.
- Beneath, the streets were crowded with people.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The town was far beneath.
- Beneath, there was a small river.
- Beneath, many people were walking.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
beneath
API
GB/bɪnˈiθ/
US/bɪnˈiθ/
Syllabes et accentuation
be - neath (2 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (neath)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: beneath
- Plural: beneaths
Famille de mots
Forms
beneaths
noun
Related words
underneath
preposition, adverb A2
Negative and opposite forms
above
preposition, adverb A1
Expressions
beneath one's dignity
1/bɪnˈiθ wˈʌnz dˈɪɡnəti/
fixed phrase
Too unworthy for one's respect
Too low in quality for someone to accept doing it.
Exemples
- He refused to clean the office, thinking it was beneath his dignity.
- She felt it was beneath her dignity to argue with them.
beneath the surface
1/bɪnˈiθ ðə sˈɚfɪs/
fixed phrase
Under an outer layer or appearance
Under something you can see; also used to talk about hidden feelings or facts.
Exemples
- Beneath the surface of the lake, fish swam lazily.
- Beneath the surface, she was very nervous.