 |
| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | beneothan, from neothan 'below' |
| |||||||||
be‧neath W2
formal
formal1 in or to a lower position than something, or directly under something [= underneath]: The dolphins disappeared beneath the waves. Jo enjoyed feeling the warm sand beneath her feet. He was standing on the bridge looking at the river beneath.
The dolphins disappeared beneath the waves.Jo enjoyed feeling the warm sand beneath her feet.He was standing on the bridge looking at the river beneath.2 covered by something : Shiona shivered beneath the bedclothes.
Shiona shivered beneath the bedclothes.3 used to say that someone's real character or feelings are not shown because their appearance or behaviour is different [= underneath]: Dave sensed that something more sinister lay beneath the woman's cheerful exterior.
Dave sensed that something more sinister lay beneath the woman's cheerful exterior.4 not good enough or suitable for someone : She acts as if even speaking to us is beneath her. I consider such behaviour to be beneath contempt (=so bad you have no respect for the person involved).
She acts as if even speaking to us is beneath her.I consider such behaviour to be beneath contempt (=so bad you have no respect for the person involved).5 in a lower, less important rank or job than someone else [= below]
WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
under, underneath, below, beneathUnder is the usual way to say that one thing is at a lower level than another, or is covered by it • Your shoes are under the table. • He lay under a blanket.Under is nearly always used as a preposition (followed by a noun).Underneath has a similar meaning to under, and is used especially when something is hidden or covered • a box underneath the floorboardsIt can also be used as an adverb • She lifted the cover and peeped underneath.Below is used when one thing is at a much lower level than another, and can be a preposition or an adverb • the apartment below ours • Mist lay in the valley below.Beneath can be used in the same ways as under and below, but is a more literary or formal word • beneath the silvery moon • the cliff, and the ocean beneath ➔ See also under
WORD CHOICE: under, underneath, below, beneathUnder is the usual way to say that one thing is at a lower level than another, or is covered by it • Your shoes are under the table. • He lay under a blanket.Under is nearly always used as a preposition (followed by a noun).Underneath has a similar meaning to under, and is used especially when something is hidden or covered • a box underneath the floorboardsIt can also be used as an adverb • She lifted the cover and peeped underneath.Below is used when one thing is at a much lower level than another, and can be a preposition or an adverb • the apartment below ours • Mist lay in the valley below.Beneath can be used in the same ways as under and below, but is a more literary or formal word • beneath the silvery moon • the cliff, and the ocean beneath ➔ See also under
