Below vs. Bellow — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 25, 2023
Below refers to a position lower than another; Bellow means to shout loudly or emit a deep loud roar.
Difference Between Below and Bellow
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Below is a preposition or adverb indicating a position or location that is at a lower level or depth than another reference point. Bellow, conversely, is a verb that describes the act of shouting in a deep, loud voice, similar to the roar of a large animal. When you mention something is below something else, you're saying it's beneath or underneath that other thing.
For instance, fish live below the water's surface. On the other hand, when you say a person or an animal bellows, you mean they're making a loud noise, either out of pain, anger, or simply to be heard.
For example, a bull might bellow when it's agitated. In everyday conversation, below is commonly used to describe spatial relationships or hierarchies, while bellow is often used to depict scenarios of heightened emotion or strong vocal expressions.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Preposition or Adverb
Verb
Meaning
Refers to a position lower than another
To shout loudly or emit a deep loud roar
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Usage
Describes spatial relationships or hierarchy
Depicts vocal expressions or loud noises
Example Sentence
The shoes are below the bed.
The angry man began to bellow at the crowd.
Associated Imagery
Depth, underneath, beneath
Roaring, shouting, loud voice
Compare with Definitions
Below
Referring to a position underneath or lower in place.
The cat hid below the table.
Bellow
To shout loudly and without restraint.
He began to bellow when he lost his keys.
Below
Situated at the base or bottom.
The note was signed below the message.
Bellow
To make a noise resembling a violent shout.
The old machine would bellow every time it started up.
Below
In or to a lower place; beneath.
Bellow
To proclaim or announce with a booming voice.
The town crier would bellow the news in the square.
Below
On or to a lower floor; downstairs.
Bellow
To make the deep roaring sound characteristic of a bull.
Below
(Nautical) On or to a lower deck.
Bellow
To shout in a deep voice.
Below
In a later part of a given text
Figures quoted below.
Bellow
To utter in a loud, powerful voice.
Below
Farther down, as along a slope or valley.
Bellow
The roar of a large animal, such as a bull.
Below
In or to hell or Hades.
Bellow
A very loud utterance or other sound.
Below
On the earth.
Bellow
The deep roar of a large animal, or any similar loud noise.
Below
In a lower rank or class.
Bellow
To make a loud, deep, hollow noise like the roar of an angry bull.
Below
Below zero in temperature
40° below.
Bellow
To shout in a deep voice.
Below
Underneath; beneath.
Bellow
To make a hollow, loud noise, as an enraged bull.
Below
Lower than, as on a graduated scale.
Bellow
To bowl; to vociferate; to clamor.
Below
Downstream of
Launched the canoe just below the bridge.
Bellow
To roar; as the sea in a tempest, or as the wind when violent; to make a loud, hollow, continued sound.
The bellowing voice of boiling seas.
Below
South of
Guatemala is below Mexico.
Bellow
To emit with a loud voice; to shout; - used with out.
Below
Unsuitable to the rank or dignity of
Such petty behavior is below me.
Bellow
A loud resounding outcry or noise, as of an enraged bull; a roar.
Below
Lower in spatial position than.
The treasure is buried two meters below the surface.
The marmalade is on the shelf below the bread.
Bellow
A very loud utterance (like the sound of an animal);
His bellow filled the hallway
Below
Lower than in value, price, rank, concentration, etc.
The temperature is below zero.
Liverpool are below Manchester City in the Premier League.
Bellow
United States novelist (born in Canada in 1915)
Below
Downstream of.
The River Thames is tidal below Teddington Lock.
Bellow
Shout loudly and without restraint
Below
South of.
Sudan is below Egypt.
Bellow
Make a loud noise, as of animal;
The bull bellowed
Below
Unsuitable to the rank or dignity of; beneath.
Such petty behavior is below me.
Bellow
To emit a loud animal sound, like a roar.
The lion started to bellow, signaling its dominance.
Below
(stage directions) Downstage of.
Bellow
To express loudly and with strong emotion.
The coach would bellow instructions from the sideline.
Below
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.
Below
On or to a lower storey.
She lives below, on the ground floor.
Below
(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
Below
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.
Below
(of a temperature) Below zero.
It was forty degrees below.
Below
Under, or lower in place; beneath not so high; as, below the moon; below the knee.
Below
Inferior to in rank, excellence, dignity, value, amount, price, etc.; lower in quality.
Below
Unworthy of; unbefitting; beneath.
They beheld, with a just loathing and disdain, . . . how below all history the persons and their actions were.
Who thinks no fact below his regard.
Below
In a lower place, with respect to any object; in a lower room; beneath.
Lord Marmion waits below.
Below
On the earth, as opposed to the heavens.
The fairest child of Jove below.
Below
In hell, or the regions of the dead.
What business brought him to the realms below.
Below
In court or tribunal of inferior jurisdiction; as, at the trial below.
Below
In some part or page following.
Below
In or to a place that is lower
Below
At a later place;
See below
Below
(in writing) see below;
Vide infra
Below
On a floor below;
The tenants live downstairs
Below
Further down;
See under for further discussion
Below
Indicating a smaller amount or lesser degree.
The temperature dropped below freezing.
Below
Inferior in rank, dignity, or importance.
Private is a rank below corporal in the army.
Below
In writings or discussions, mentioned further down.
More details can be found below.
Common Curiosities
Can 'below' refer to quantities, not just positions?
Yes, 'below' can indicate a smaller amount or lesser degree.
Does 'bellow' always indicate anger?
No, 'bellow' can describe any loud vocal expression, not just anger.
If a price is 'below' $10, what does that mean?
It means the price is less than $10.
How is 'bellow' commonly used in a sentence?
'Bellow' is used as a verb to describe a loud, roaring shout.
What's the opposite of 'bellow' in terms of volume?
The opposite in terms of volume might be 'whisper' or 'murmur'.
What part of speech is 'below'?
'Below' is primarily used as a preposition or adverb.
What's an antonym for 'below'?
An antonym for 'below' is 'above'.
What animals are typically associated with the action 'bellow'?
Cows, bulls, and lions are often described as bellowing.
How does 'bellow' differ from 'yell'?
While both indicate loudness, 'bellow' often suggests a deeper, more resonant sound.
If someone says, "The sound bellows across the valley," what do they mean?
They mean the sound is loud and resonating across the valley.
Can 'below' refer to written content?
Yes, 'below' can indicate something mentioned further down in a text.
Can 'below' be used to describe ranks or levels?
Yes, 'below' can describe something inferior in rank or level.
Is 'bellow' always used in negative contexts?
No, 'bellow' just describes the volume and depth of a sound, not necessarily the emotion behind it.
Can a machine 'bellow'?
Yes, if a machine makes a loud roaring noise, it can be described as 'bellowing'.
Can 'below' be used in temperature contexts?
Yes, you can say the temperature is below a certain degree.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
