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under

UN-dur/ˈʌndɚ/UKUN-duh/ˈʌndə/

17 meanings of under

Practice

  1. 1
    beneathpreposition
    Lower than something or covered by it, or going below it from one side to the other.

    Think of it like the space beneath an umbrella.

    Please put your bag under the seat in front of you.

    The cat is hiding under the bed.

    UsageUse under rather than below when something covers another thing: a key under the mat.

    Similarbelow, beneath, underneath

    Oppositeover, above

  2. 2
    ruled bypreposition
    Controlled or ruled by, or according to, as in 'under the law'.

    He served under General Bradley.

    Under the new rules, dogs must be on a lead.

    UsageSay under the law or under a boss.

    Oppositeover, above

  3. 3
    preposition
    Going through something or affected by it, like repair, pressure, or an attack.

    The town was under bombardment for days.

    The old bridge is under repair, so we have to drive the long way.

    UsageOften under construction or under pressure.

  4. 4
    less thanpreposition
    Less than a number or amount, as in 'under an hour'.

    This jacket was on sale for under twenty dollars.

    Children under twelve go free.

    UsageSay under five: younger than five.

    Similarbelow

    Oppositeover, above

  5. 5
    in categorypreposition
    In a group or heading, as in 'filed under B'.

    File this under 'urgent'.

    Look for the recipe under 'soups'.

    UsageOften used with filed, listed, or found: listed under B.

  6. 6
    using namepreposition
    Using a certain name or identity, as in 'under a false name' or 'under her own name'.

    She published the novel under a pen name.

    He checked in under a false name.

    UsageSay under the name + the name: She writes under the name Jo Green.

  7. 7
    not enoughadverbin compounds
    Not enough, as a prefix, as in 'underwatered' or 'underpaid'.

    Many teachers feel underpaid for the long hours they work.

    Women are under-represented on the board.

    UsageUsually write it as one word: undercooked. Some words use a hyphen, like under-represented.

    Similarinsufficiently, inadequately

    Oppositeover

    Note

Practice

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Origin

This word comes from Old English "under," which goes back to old Germanic words meaning "under."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts