underneath

un|der|neath [ ,ʌndər`niθ ] function word **

Underneath can be used in the following ways:

as a preposition (followed by a noun):

I took the gun and hid it underneath the sofa.

as an adverb (without a following noun):

She left the buttons open to show a layer of silk underneath.

Underneath he is a very pleasant man.

as an adjective:

The underneath part is blue and gray.

as a singular noun (after the ):

Looking at the car, I could see that the underneath was rusty.

1. ) in, to, or through a place directly below something or covered by it:

I'll leave the key underneath the mat.

Curtis was partially crushed underneath the helicopter as it hit the ground.

Everybody got underneath the tables to escape the gunfire.

The child screamed once, and disappeared underneath the ice.

The photographer's name was printed underneath.

He opened his jacket to reveal a bullet-proof vest underneath.

2. ) used for describing the lower surface of something that faces down:

Drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the frying pan and cook until golden underneath.

Underneath you will see soft silky fur, very different from the fur on the animal's back.

The wound has healed on top, but the skin underneath is still very painful.

the underneath (of something): The underneath of the car was badly damaged.

3. ) used for describing what someone or something is really like, despite how they may seem:

Underneath her calm exterior, she was a deeply troubled woman.

Gary is a typical Chicagoan tough on the outside but with a heart of gold underneath.

It looks like a lot of fuss about nothing, but underneath there is a serious point.