1.
If one thing is ~ another, it is directly under it, and may be covered or hidden by it.
The device exploded ~ a van.
...using dogs to locate people trapped ~ collapsed buildings.
...a table for two ~ the olive trees...
Her apartment was ~ a bar, called ‘The Lift’.
= beneath
PREP
•
Underneath is also an adverb.
He has on a denim shirt with a T-shirt ~.
...if we could maybe pull back a bit of this carpet to see what’s ~...
ADV: n ADV, ADV after v, be ADV, from ADV
2.
The part of something which is ~ is the part which normally touches the ground or faces towards the ground.
Check the actual construction of the chair by looking ~...
His bare feet were smooth on top and rough-skinned ~.
ADV: ADV after v, n/adj ADV
•
Underneath is also an adjective.
Some objects had got entangled with the ~ mechanism of the engine.
ADJ: ADJ n
•
Underneath is also a noun.
Now I know what the ~ of a car looks like.
N-SING: the N
3.
You use ~ when talking about feelings and emotions that people do not show in their behaviour.
He was as violent as Nick ~...
ADV: ADV with cl
•
Underneath is also a preposition.
Underneath his outgoing behaviour Luke was shy.
PREP