Definition

1. Preposition:

   • In a position directly below something else: "under" indicates a lower position relative to another object or surface.
   • Less than a particular amount, age, or limit: "under" is used to indicate a quantity, number, or degree that is lower than a specified benchmark.
   • Subject to the authority, control, or influence of: "under" denotes being governed, managed, or affected by a person, law, condition, or process.
   • During the rule, reign, or time of: "under" can indicate a period governed by a specific leader or system.
   • In the process of undergoing something: "under" describes being in a state of receiving a particular action or treatment.

2. Adverb:

   • In or to a position below or beneath something: "under" describes movement or location to a lower place.
   • Below the surface of water: "under" specifically refers to being submerged.
   • In or into a state of unconsciousness, control, or suppression: "under" indicates being rendered unconscious or being kept in a subordinate state.
   • Less than a required amount: "under" means below a target or limit.

3. Adjective:

   • Lower in position, rank, or authority: "under" describes something that is subordinate or located beneath.
   • Located on the lower side or part: "under" refers to the bottom or hidden side of something.

Usage Examples

• Preposition:

  • The cat is sleeping under the table. (The cat is in a position directly below the table.)
  • Children under five get in for free. (Children younger than five years old do not have to pay.)
  • The department operates under new management. (The department is subject to the control of new managers.)
  • The bridge is under construction. (The bridge is in the process of being built.)

• Adverb:

  • The swimmer went under and then came back up. (The swimmer submerged below the water's surface.)
  • After the anesthesia, the patient was under. (The patient was unconscious.)
  • We finished the project under budget. (We spent less money than was allocated.)

• Adjective:

  • He is an under secretary in the ministry. (He holds a subordinate secretary position.)
  • Check the under side of the shelf. (Look at the bottom part of the shelf.)

Advanced Usage

• "Under the weather": feeling slightly ill or unwell.

  • I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, so I'll stay home.

• "Under the table": done secretly and often illegally.

  • He was paid under the table to avoid taxes.

• "Under one's belt": having gained or achieved something, especially experience.

  • With ten years of experience under her belt, she was ready for the promotion.

Variants and Related Words

• Under- (prefix): used to form words meaning "beneath," "lower," or "not enough."
  • Underground (adj/adv): beneath the surface of the ground.
  • Underestimate (verb): to judge something as less than it is.
  • Underdeveloped (adj): not fully grown or developed.

Synonyms

• Below: in a lower position than.
• Beneath: under, directly below (often more formal).
• Less than: not as great in amount or degree.
• Subordinate to: lower in rank or position.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Go under:

  • To sink beneath a surface. The ship began to go under.
  • To fail or become bankrupt. Many small businesses went under during the recession.

• Keep under:

  • To suppress or control. The government tried to keep the protest under control.

Related Idioms

• Out from under: free from a burden, obligation, or difficult situation.

  • After paying off his debts, he felt he was finally out from under.

• Under the sun: anywhere in the world; everything that exists.

  • We talked about everything under the sun.

Adjective

1. lower in rank, power, or authority
   • an under secretary
2. located below or beneath something else
   • nether garments
   • the under parts of a machine

Adverb

1. further down
   • see under for further discussion
2. down below
   • get under quickly!
3. below the horizon
   • the sun went under
4. below some quantity or limit
   • fifty dollars or under
5. in or into a state of subordination or subjugation
   • we must keep our disappointment under
6. into unconsciousness
   • this will put the patient under
7. through a range downward
   • children six and under will be admitted free
8. down to defeat, death, or ruin
   • their competitors went under