under
beneath and covered by: under a table; under a tree.
below the surface of: under water; under the skin.
at a point or position lower or further down than: He was hit just under his eye.
in the position or state of bearing, supporting, sustaining, enduring, etc.: to sink under a heavy load.
beneath the heading or within the category of: Classify the books under “Fiction” and “General.”
as designated, indicated, or represented by: to register under a new name.
below in degree, amount, etc.; less than: purchased under cost.
below in rank; of less dignity, importance, or the like: A corporal is under a sergeant.
subject to the authority, direction, or supervision of: a bureau functioning under the prime minister.
subject to the instruction or advice of: to study the violin under Heifetz.
subject to the influence, condition, force, etc., of: under these circumstances; born under the sign of Taurus.
protected, controlled, or watched by: under guard.
authorized, warranted, or attested by: under one's hand or seal.
in accordance with: under the provisions of the law.
during the rule, administration, or government of: new laws passed under President Reagan.
in the state or process of: under repair; a matter under consideration.
Nautical. powered by the means indicated: under sail; under steam.
below or beneath something: Go over the fence, not under.
beneath the surface.
in a lower place.
in a lower degree, amount, etc.: selling blouses for $25 and under.
in a subordinate position or condition.
in or into subjection or submission.
beneath or on the underside: the under threads of the embroidery.
lower in position.
lower in degree, amount, etc.
lower in rank or condition.
subject to the control, effect, etc., as of a person, drug, or force: The hypnotist had her subject under at once. The patient was under as soon as he breathed the anesthetic.
go under,
to give in; succumb; yield: She tried desperately to fight off her drowsiness, but felt herself going under.
to fail in business: After 20 years on the same corner they finally went under.
Idioms about under
under wraps. wrap (def. 14).
Origin of under
1synonym study For under
Other definitions for under- (2 of 2)
a prefixal use of under, as to indicate place or situation below or beneath (underbrush; undertow); lower in grade or dignity (undersheriff; understudy); of lesser degree, extent, or amount (undersized); or insufficiency (underfeed).
Origin of under-
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use under in a sentence
“The institution of marraige [sic] is under attack in our society and it needs to be strengthened,” Bush wrote.
It is grandstanding for a right rarely protected unless under immediate attack.
Politicians Only Love Journalists When They're Dead | Luke O’Neil | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST“Price for adults to $4250; From 10 years to 14 years to $2125; under 10 years free,” the listing says.
“under Suleimani several military branches have taken shape [in Iraq] which are run by Iran and the Iranian military,” he said.
What an Iranian Funeral Tells Us About the Wars in Iraq | IranWire | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd that means they also fall under the umbrella of programs most likely to get the axe when state and federal budgets are tight.
under the one-sixth they appear as slender, highly refractive fibers with double contour and, often, curled or split ends.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddThe Pontellier and Ratignolle compartments adjoined one another under the same roof.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinThe Majesty on high has a colony and a people on earth, which otherwise is under the supremacy of the Evil One.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature | Moncure Daniel ConwayPoor Squinty ran and tried to hide under the straw, for he knew the boy was talking about him.
Squinty the Comical Pig | Richard BarnumFor several months he remained under a political cloud, charged with incompetency to quell the Philippine Rebellion.
The Philippine Islands | John Foreman
British Dictionary definitions for under (1 of 2)
/ (ˈʌndə) /
directly below; on, to, or beneath the underside or base of: under one's feet
less than: under forty years
lower in rank than: under a corporal
subject to the supervision, jurisdiction, control, or influence of
subject to (conditions); in (certain circumstances)
within a classification of: a book under theology
known by: under an assumed name
planted with: a field under corn
powered by: under sail
astrology during the period that the sun is in (a sign of the zodiac): born under Aries
below; to a position underneath something
Origin of under
1British Dictionary definitions for under- (2 of 2)
below or beneath: underarm; underground
of lesser importance or lower rank: undersecretary
to a lesser degree than is proper; insufficient or insufficiently: undercharge; underemployed
indicating secrecy or deception: underhand
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with under
In addition to the idioms beginning with under
- under a cloud
- under age
- under any circumstances
- under arrest
- under consideration
- under cover
- under false colors
- under fire
- under lock and key
- under one's belt
- under one's breath
- under one's feet
- under one's hat
- under one's nose
- under one's own steam
- under one's skin
- under pain of
- under par
- under someone's spell
- under someone's thumb
- under someone's wing
- under the aegis of
- under the circumstances
- under the counter
- under the gun
- under the hammer
- under the impression
- under the influence
- under the knife
- under the sun
- under the table
- under the weather
- under the wire
- under way
- under wraps
also see:
- below (under) par
- born under a lucky star
- buckle under
- come under
- cut the ground from under
- don't let the grass grow under one's feet
- everything but the kitchen sink (under the sun)
- fall under
- false colors, sail under
- get under someone's skin
- go under
- hide one's light under a bushel
- hot under the collar
- keep under one's hat
- knock the bottom out (props out from under)
- knuckle under
- light a fire under
- nothing new under the sun
- of (under) age
- out from under
- plow under
- pull the rug out from under
- put the skids under
- six feet under
- snow under
- sweep under the rug
- water over the dam (under the bridge)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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