under

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Beneath

   Beneath; below; at or to the bottom of, or the area covered or surmounted by.

   • We found some shade under a tree.
   • Quick, stuff the cash under the mattress!
   • There is nothing new under the sun.
2. 2

   From one side of to the other, passing beneath.

   • I crawled under the fence.
   • There is a tunnel under the English Channel.
3. 3

   Less than.

   • Interest rates are now under 1%.
   • We can get there in under an hour.
4. ›+ 16 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Subject to.

      • We were constantly under bombardment.
      • I can't live under these circumstances.
      • The matter is under investigation.
   2. 5

      Within the category, classification or heading of.

      • File this under "i" for "ignore".
   3. 6

      In the face of

      In the face of; in response to (some attacking force).

      • England's World Cup dreams fell apart under a French onslaught on a night when their shortcomings were brutally exposed at the quarter-final stage.
      • to collapse under stress; to give in under interrogation
   4. 7

      Using or adopting (a name, identity, etc.).

      • J.K. Rowling has written a crime novel called 'The Cuckoo's Calling' under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.
      • He writes books under the name John Smith.
      • She now lives under a new identity.
   5. 8

      In or to a lower or subordinate position, or a position beneath or below something,…

      In or to a lower or subordinate position, or a position beneath or below something, physically or figuratively.

      • pulled under by the currents
      • weighed under by worry
      • The minstrel fell, but the foeman's chain / Could not bring his proud soul under.
   6. 9

      So as to pass beneath something.

      • There's quite a gap, so you may be able to sneak under.
   7. 10

      Less than what is necessary to be adequate or suitable

      Less than what is necessary to be adequate or suitable; insufficient.

      • The plants were underwatered.
      • Women are under-represented.
   8. 11

      In or into an unconscious state.

      • It took the hypnotist several minutes to make his subject go under.
   9. 12

      Down to defeat, ruin, or death.

      • The COVID-19 epidemic and shutdown took some businesses under.
      • Big-box store and online retailing have driven many specialty and local retail stores under.
   10. 13

       Lower

       Lower; beneath something.

       • This treatment protects the under portion of the car from rust.
       • (in compounds) underbelly, underside, undershirt, undersecretary
       • The advantages he gains are of double security to him ; first, by the support of his haunches, being at all times more under than before, he learns to be more active with his hind-quarters
   11. 14

       In a state of subordination, submission or defeat.

       • The army could not keep the people under.
       • I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection.
   12. 15

       Under anesthesia, especially general anesthesia

       Under anesthesia, especially general anesthesia; sedated.

       • Ensure the patient is sufficiently under.
   13. 16

       Having a particular property that is low, especially so as to be insufficient or lacking…

       Having a particular property that is low, especially so as to be insufficient or lacking in a particular respect.

       • This chicken is a bit under. (insufficiently cooked)
       • This bag of apples feels under. (of insufficient weight)
       • My pay packet last week was £10 under. (of insufficient monetary amount)
   14. 17

       The amount by which an actual total is less than the expected or required amount.

       • […] standard cash count forms used to record the count and any overs or unders.
   15. 18

       Something having a particular property that is low or too low.

       • I went fishing but caught nothing but unders.
       • Usually I am at least ten over on that course, but I have shot a couple of unders.
   16. 19

       A bet that a particular sporting statistic, such as points scored in a game, will be…

       A bet that a particular sporting statistic, such as points scored in a game, will be below a certain stated value.

The neighborhood

• synonymbelow
• synonymbeneath
• synonymunderneath
• antonymabove
• antonymover