under

Adverb

Adverb

×

A word that modifies a verb, adjective, another adverb, or a clause.

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

   • The minstrel fell, but the foeman's chain / Could not bring his proud soul under.

2. 2.So as to pass beneath something.

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

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

   • There's a monster under my bed.
   • I don't want to work under these conditions.

4. 4.In or into an unconscious state.(informal)

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

Prep

Preposition

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A word placed before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show its relationship to another part of the sentence.

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

   • We found some shade under a tree.
   • There is nothing new under the sun.
   • There is an oil leak under the car.

2. 2.From one side of to the other, passing beneath.

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

3. 3.Less than.

   • Interest rates are now under 1%.
   • We can get there in under an hour.
   • If you're under age 55 or so, urinary symptoms may be the result of inflammation of the prostate, called prostatitis.

4. 4.Subject to.

   • I can't live under these circumstances.
   • He served in World War II under General Omar Bradley.
   • During the pandemic, we had to live under severe restrictions.

Overall

Very common· #253

By learning goal

Everyday conversation

Common

General reading & writing

Very common

Academic

Uncommon

Literature

Uncommon

Synonyms

• below

Word family

• undergo
• undermine
• undertake