Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
If something is ~ something else, it is in a lower position.
He appeared from the apartment directly ~ Leonard’s...
The path runs ~ a long brick wall...
The sun had already sunk ~ the horizon...
? above
PREP
•
Below is also an adverb.
...a view to the street ~...
Spread out ~ was a great crowd.
ADV: n ADV, ADV after v
2.
If something is ~ ground or ~ the ground, it is in the ground.
They have designed a system which pumps up water from 70m ~ ground...
PHRASE
3.
You use ~ in a piece of writing to refer to something that is mentioned later.
Please write to me at the address ~...
ADV: n ADV, ADV after v
4.
If something is ~ a particular amount, rate, or level, it is less than that amount, rate, or level.
Night temperatures can drop ~ 15 degrees Celsius...
Rainfall has been ~ average.
? above
PREP
•
Below is also an adverb.
...temperatures at zero or ~.
ADV
5.
If someone is ~ you in an organization, they are lower in rank.
Such people often experience less stress than those in the ranks immediately ~ them.
? above
PREP
6.
~ par: see par