¹under

adverb un·der \ˈən-dər\

: in or into a position that is below or beneath something; especially : in a position that is below the surface of water

: in a forward direction that passes below something

: less than an expected or stated number or amount

Full Definition of UNDER

: in or into a position below or beneath something

: below or short of some quantity, level, or limit <$10 or under> —often used in combination <understaffed>

: in or into a condition of subjection, subordination, or unconsciousness <put the patient under for surgery>

: down to defeat, ruin, or death <weaker competitors will be forced under>

: so as to be covered <buried under by the avalanche>

See under defined for English-language learners

See under defined for kids

Origin of UNDER

Middle English, adverb & preposition, from Old English; akin to Old High German untar under, Latin inferus situated beneath, lower, infra below, Sanskrit adha

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to UNDER

Synonyms: beneath, below, underneath

Antonyms: up

Rhymes with UNDER

Bandar, blunder, funder, plunder, sunder, thunder, wonder

²under

preposition

: in or to a lower place than (something) : below or beneath (something)

: guided or managed by (a person or group)

: controlled or affected by (something)

Full Definition of UNDER

: below or beneath so as to be overhung, surmounted, covered, protected, or concealed by <under sunny skies> <a soft heart under a stern exterior> <under cover of darkness>

a : subject to the authority, control, guidance, or instruction of <served under the general> <under the terms of the contract> <a program that runs under any operating system>

b : receiving or undergoing the action or effect of <under pressure> <courage under fire> <under the influence of alcohol> <the image of a point under a mapping> <under oath>

a : within the group or designation of <under this heading>

b : having as name or title <traveling under an alias>

: less or lower than (as in size, amount, or rank); especially : falling short of a standard or required degree <under the legal age> <under par>

See under defined for English-language learners