What does “under” mean?
- 1
prepositionbelow or lower than something
The cat is under the table.
- 2
prepositionless than a number or amount
Children under 12 get in free.
- 3
prepositionaffected or controlled by something
The bridge is under construction.
Under at a glance
- Part of speech
- preposition
- CEFR level
- A1 (beginner)
- Pronunciation
- /ˈʌndɚ/ · UN-der
How to use “under” correctly
“Under” usually means directly below; “below” can mean anywhere lower. “Under 18” means younger than 18.
Common phrases with “under”
- under control
- under pressure
- under age
- under the law
Synonyms, opposites and related words
“under” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- above prepositionA1in or to a higher position than something
- around prepositionA1on every side of something, or in a circle
- behind prepositionA1at or toward the back of something
- between prepositionA1in the space that separates two things or people
- inside prepositionA1in or into a building, container or space
- near prepositionA1a short distance from something
- over prepositionA1above or across something
- across prepositionA2from one side to the other side of something