underneath
gb/ˌʌndɚnˈiθ/ us/ˌʌndɚnˈiθ/
A2
Anglais
~ 1500
Sens
0 sens
preposition
A2
relation
1
directly below something
In a place lower than something and often covered by it.
Schéma d’usage :
underneath [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'underneath' with 'under'; both can mean 'below', but 'underneath' often suggests being covered or hidden.
Synonymes
beneath (Slightly more formal; otherwise similar meaning.)
|
below (Can refer to a more general lower position, not always directly covered.)
Antonymes
above (Indicates a higher position instead of a lower one.)
Collocations
hidden underneath
|underneath the surface
|underneath the table
|underneath the bed
Thèmes
daily life
|spatial relations
|space
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The keys are underneath the couch cushions.
- We found a small box hidden underneath the floorboards.
- The cat was sleeping underneath the blanket.
- Her phone was underneath a pile of books.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The ball is underneath the chair.
- My shoes are underneath the bed.
- The paper is underneath your bag.
adverb
A2
relation
2
below or beneath something
In a place that is lower than something else.
Synonymes
below (General term for lower position; 'underneath' can sound slightly more emphatic or concrete.)
Antonymes
overhead (Indicates a position above instead of below.)
Collocations
directly underneath
|right underneath
Thèmes
daily life
|spatial relations
|space
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- She looked up at the roof and then underneath to see if it was leaking.
- The dog crawled underneath to hide from the noise.
- He stood on the balcony and saw the garden underneath.
Exemples pédagogiques
- There is water underneath.
- I see my bag underneath.
- The shoes are right underneath.
preposition
B1
relation
3
beneath the surface quality
Used to say what is really true behind how something looks or feels.
Schéma d’usage :
underneath [appearance/behavior]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may overuse this figurative sense in casual speech; in some cases, 'deep down' might be more natural.
Synonymes
beneath (Similar meaning; 'beneath' can sound more formal or literary in this figurative use.)
Antonymes
on the surface (Refers to what appears outwardly, not the hidden truth.)
Collocations
underneath it all
|underneath her smile
Thèmes
emotions
|personality
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Underneath his confident smile, he was nervous.
- She seems strict, but underneath she is very kind.
- Underneath their rivalry, there is mutual respect.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Underneath his anger, he cares for you.
- She looks happy, but underneath she is sad.
- Underneath their fight, they are friends.
Grammaire
Expressions
right underneath
1/ɹˈaɪt ˌʌndɚnˈiθ/
fixed phrase
directly below something
Exactly in a place that is lower than something else.
Exemples
- The pen was right underneath the notebook.
- She stood right underneath the tree for shade.
underneath it all
1/ˌʌndɚnˈiθ ˈɪt ˈɔl/
fixed phrase
despite outward appearances
Used to say what someone or something is really like behind how they seem.
Exemples
- Underneath it all, he’s just a shy person.
- She may seem tough, but underneath it all she’s very gentle.