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.
adverb
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.
adjective
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.
Verb Phrases
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 for under
under wraps. wrap (def. 14).
Origin of under
before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch onder,German unter,Old Norse undir,Latin inferus located below
synonym study for under
2. See below.
Words nearby under
undemocratic, undemonstrative, undeniable, undeniably, undenominational, under, underachieve, underachiever, under a cloud, underact, underactive
Definition for under (2 of 2)
under-
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).