Under Definition

ŭndər

preposition

In, at, or to a position down from; lower than; below.

Shoes under the bed, under a blazing sun.

Webster's New World

Beneath the surface of.

Under water.

Webster's New World

Below and to the other side of.

We drove under a bridge.

Webster's New World

Lower in authority, position, power, etc. than.

Webster's New World

Beneath the assumed surface or guise of.

Traveled under a false name.

American Heritage

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
higher
more
up
upward
over
above
primary
major

adverb

In or to a position below something; beneath.

Webster's New World

Beneath the surface, as of water.

Webster's New World

So as to be covered or concealed.

Webster's New World

In or to a condition that is subordinate.

Webster's New World

So as to be rendered unconscious, as by an anesthetic.

Doctors put the patient under.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
major
primary
higher
more
up
upward
over
above

adjective

Located or situated on a lower level or beneath something else.

The under parts of a machine.

American Heritage

Lower in position, authority, rank, amount, degree, etc.

Webster's New World

Less than is required or customary.

An under dose of medication.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
primary
major
higher
above

prefix

Beneath or below in position.

Underground.

American Heritage

Inferior or subordinate in rank or importance.

Undersecretary.

American Heritage

Less in degree, rate, or quantity than normal or proper.

Undersized.

American Heritage

Under (in any sense): insufficient, insufficiently, below what is correct; subordinate to; beneath or behind.

Wiktionary

affix

In, on, to, or from a lower place or side; beneath or below.

Undertow.

Webster's New World

In an inferior or subordinate position or rank.

Undersecretary.

Webster's New World

Too little, not enough, below normal or standard.

Underdeveloped.

Webster's New World

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Under

out from under

Origin of Under

From Old English under, from Proto-Germanic *under (whence also German unter, Dutch onder, Danish under), from a merger of Proto-Indo-European *nÌ¥dʰér (“under") and *nÌ¥tér (“inside"). Akin to Old High German untar (“under"), Latin infra (“below, beneath"). More at infra-

From Wiktionary
Middle English from Old English n̥dher- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English from Old English n̥dher- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
ME < OE: see under

From Webster's New World College Dictionary, 5th Edition