Under: meaning, definitions and examples

⬇️

Add to dictionary

under

[ˈʌndər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

in a lower position

located beneath or below; in or into a lower position or level; beneath the surface of the earth; to a place beneath or lower than; below the surface of water

Synonyms

below, beneath, beneath, beneath, underneath.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
under	Commonly used to describe physical positioning directly below something else or in expressions involving control, influence, or conditions. The book is under the bed She works under pressure
beneath	Often utilized to imply a more formal or literary sense of being under something, and can also convey a sense of disrespect or being unworthy. He felt like he was beneath her in terms of status The treasure was buried beneath the old oak tree
below	Used to indicate a lower position or place in both physical and metaphorical contexts, often indicating something in a lower rank or amount. Look at the paragraph below The temperature is below freezing
underneath	Frequently used to stress direct physical contact or to add an extra layer of specificity about the position relative to something else. She hid the key underneath the doormat There is a message written underneath the paint

Examples of usage

He hid under the table.
The treasure was buried under the sand.
The submarine went under the water.
I found my keys under the bed.
The fish swam under the bridge.

^{Context #2 | Preposition}

less than

indicating the relationship between a thing being considered and a point of reference

Synonyms

below, beneath, beneath, inferior to, less than.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
under	Can also be used to describe being subject to a condition or rule. The project is under review She felt under pressure to perform well
less than	Describes a numerical value or amount that is smaller in comparison to another number or amount. The cost was less than we expected Children under five years old are considered less than in number compared to adults
below	Refers to a position at a lower level but not necessarily directly underneath. The painting hangs below the clock Temperatures can drop below freezing in winter
beneath	Often used in a more formal context, indicating something directly lower in a physical or metaphorical sense. The treasure was buried beneath the old oak tree She felt a sense of duty beneath her calm exterior
inferior to	Used to express a lower quality or status compared to something else, often with a negative connotation. This product is inferior to the one we used before He always felt inferior to his older brother

Examples of usage

The temperature is under 30 degrees.
The project was completed under budget.
He finished the race in under two hours.
She was under the impression that the meeting was at 9 am.
The company operates under strict regulations.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Old English 'under', which means 'beneath' or 'below'.
Related words in other languages include the German word 'unter' and the Dutch 'onder', showing common roots in Germanic languages.
In Latin, a similar concept is conveyed with 'sub', found in many words related to being beneath.

Usage in Language

'Under' can create new meanings with prefixes, like 'underestimate' (to think something is less than it is).
In phrases like 'under pressure', it conveys a sense of stress or urgency.
It's often used in mathematics, such as 'under the line' or 'under the curve' to describe positions in graphs.

Cultural References

In children's literature, story settings often reference characters living in places 'under the sea' or 'under the bed', invoking a sense of mystery.
The concept of being 'under the weather' is a common idiom referring to feeling ill, emphasizing the physical feeling of being weighed down.
In superhero lore, characters often have secret hideouts ‘under’ places, such as 'under the city', showcasing themes of safety and concealment.

Psychology

'Under' can evoke feelings of vulnerability when discussing someone's emotional state, such as feeling 'under attack' or 'underappreciated'.
Schemas involving 'under' often correlate with feelings of submission or lower status in social situations, like being 'under someone’s influence'.
The term can also relate to physical space dynamics in architecture, where spaces under other structures provide a feeling of safety or confinement.

Science

In geology, 'under' describes layers of earth or rock that lie beneath the surface, crucial for understanding natural formations.
In physics, fluids are often described in terms of pressure, which requires understanding the 'under' aspects of force and weight.
Biologically, certain creatures are adapted to thrive in environments 'under' water or 'under' layers of soil, showcasing a versatile use in ecosystems.

Translations

Translations of the word "under" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sob

🇮🇳 के तहत

🇩🇪 unter

🇮🇩 di bawah

🇺🇦 під

🇵🇱 pod

🇯🇵 下に

🇫🇷 sous

🇪🇸 bajo

🇹🇷 altında

🇰🇷 아래에

🇸🇦 تحت

🇨🇿 pod

🇸🇰 pod

🇨🇳 在...下面

🇸🇮 pod

🇮🇸 undir

🇰🇿 астында

🇬🇪 ქვეშ

🇦🇿 altında

🇲🇽 bajo

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #47, this is one of the most fundamental words in English. It's absolutely essential to master this word as it forms the backbone of English communication and appears in almost every conversation or text.

...
44 should
45 made
46 what
47 under
48 first
49 could
50 very
...