below

Lower in spatial position than.

Adverb

  1. In or to a lower place.
    • The town is situated on a hillside, with a river running below.
    • He was pulled below by a sea monster.
    • But then I had the [massive] flintlock by me for protection. […]The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window at the old...

    1. On or to a lower storey.

      • She lives below, on the ground floor.

    2. (nautical) On or to a lower deck, especially as relative to the main deck.

      • The captain went below to inspect the engine.
      • the landlubbers lying down below
  2. Later in the same text.
    • This point is explained below.
    • By their execution hereof, the Parties incur a legal obligation to pass consideration under this Loan Contract as is set forth below.
  3. Below zero.
    • It was forty degrees below.

Origin

From Middle English bilooghe, equivalent to be- + low. Compare also earlier Middle English alogh, alow, aloȝ, alowe (“below”), benethen (“beneath”), Dutch omlaag (“downwards”).

Synonyms

beneath under underneath downstairs downwards

Antonyms

aloft overhead up upstairs upwards

Derived

below average below decks belowdecks below ground belowground belowness below par below-stairs below stairs belowstairs below the belt below the breadline below the fold below the gangway below the line below the radar below the salt below the surface come from below cut below down below fall below go below here below

Preposition

  1. Lower in spatial position than.
    • One morning I had been driven to the precarious refuge afforded by the steps of the inn, after rejecting offers from the Celebrity to join him in a variety of amusements. But even here I was not free from interruption,...
    • The treasure is buried two meters below the surface.
    • The marmalade is on the shelf below the bread.
  2. Lower than in value, price, rank, concentration, etc.
    • one degree below kings - 1705, J[oseph] Addison, Remarks on Several Parts of Italy, &c. in the Years 1701, 1702, 1703, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
    • Surprisingly, this analysis revealed that acute exposure to solvent vapors at concentrations below those associated with long-term effects appears to increase the risk of a fatal automobile accident. Furthermore, this...
    • The temperature is below zero.
  3. Downstream of.
    • The River Thames is tidal below Teddington Lock.
  4. South of.
    • Sudan is below Egypt.
  5. Unsuitable to the rank or dignity of; beneath.
    • They beheld, with a just loathing and disdain, […] how below all history the persons and their actions were. - 1670, John Milton, “(please specify the page)”, in The History of Britain, that Part Especially now Call’d...
    • who thinks no fact below his regard - 1827, Henry Hallam, The Constitutional History of England from the Accession of Henry VII. to the Death of George II. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: John...
    • Such petty behavior is below me.
  6. Downstage of.
    • Below the sofa is a low, round coffee table. - 1952, Frederick Knott, Dial "M" for Murder, 1954 Dramatists Play Service acting edition, act 1, scene 1

Synonyms

beneath under underneath downstream

Antonyms

above over upstream

Derived

bag below one's eye bag below the eye below the belt below the law below the mahogany