Below vs. Under — What's the Difference?

At a lower level or layer than.

Directly beneath; underneath.

Less than a specific value or degree.

Protected or concealed by.

In or to a lower place; beneath.

Affected by the influence or action of.

On or to a lower floor; downstairs.

In a lower position or place than

(Nautical) On or to a lower deck.

To or into a lower position or place than

In a later part of a given text

Beneath the surface of

Farther down, as along a slope or valley.

Beneath the assumed surface or guise of

In or to hell or Hades.

Less than; smaller than

On the earth.

Less than the required amount or degree of

In a lower rank or class.

Inferior to in status or rank

Below zero in temperature

Subject to the authority, rule, or control of

Underneath; beneath.

Subject to the supervision, instruction, or influence of

Lower than, as on a graduated scale.

Undergoing or receiving the effects of

Downstream of

Subject to the restraint or obligation of

South of

Within the group or classification of

Unsuitable to the rank or dignity of

In the process of

Lower in spatial position than.

In view of; because of

Lower than in value, price, rank, concentration, etc.

With the authorization of

Downstream of.

Sowed or planted with

South of.

(Nautical) Powered or propelled by

Unsuitable to the rank or dignity of; beneath.

During the time conventionally assigned to (a sign of the zodiac)

(stage directions) Downstage of.

In or into a place below or beneath

In or to a lower place.

So as to be covered or enveloped

On or to a lower storey.

So as to be less than the required amount or degree

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

So as to be rendered unconscious, as by an anesthetic

Later in the same text.

In or into a condition of ruin or death

(of a temperature) Below zero.

Located or situated on a lower level or beneath something else

Under, or lower in place; beneath not so high; as, below the moon; below the knee.

Lower in rank, power, or authority; subordinate.

Inferior to in rank, excellence, dignity, value, amount, price, etc.; lower in quality.

Less than is required or customary

Unworthy of; unbefitting; beneath.

At the bottom of or in the area covered or surmounted by.

In a lower place, with respect to any object; in a lower room; beneath.

Below the surface of.

On the earth, as opposed to the heavens.

From one side of to the other, passing beneath.

In hell, or the regions of the dead.

Less than.

In court or tribunal of inferior jurisdiction; as, at the trial below.

Subordinate to; subject to the control of; in accordance with; in compliance with.

In some part or page following.

Within the category, classification or heading of.

In or to a place that is lower

(figuratively) In the face of; in response to (some attacking force).

At a later place;

Using or adopting (a name, identity, etc.).

(in writing) see below;

In or to a lower or subordinate position, or a position beneath or below something, physically or figuratively.

On a floor below;

So as to pass beneath something.

Further down;

(usually in compounds) Insufficiently.

Inferior to in rank or status.

(informal) In or into an unconscious state.

On a lower storey or floor.

Lower; beneath something.

In a printed or written work, further down the page or text.

In a state of subordination, submission or defeat.

Under anesthesia, especially general anesthesia; sedated.

(informal) Insufficient or lacking in a particular respect.

The amount by which an actual total is less than the expected or required amount.

Below or lower, in place or position, with the idea of being covered; lower than; beneath; - opposed to over; as, he stood under a tree; the carriage is under cover; a cellar extends under the whole house.

Denoting relation to some thing or person that is superior, weighs upon, oppresses, bows down, governs, directs, influences powerfully, or the like, in a relation of subjection, subordination, obligation, liability, or the like; as, to travel under a heavy load; to live under extreme oppression; to have fortitude under the evils of life; to have patience under pain, or under misfortunes; to behave like a Christian under reproaches and injuries; under the pains and penalties of the law; the condition under which one enters upon an office; under the necessity of obeying the laws; under vows of chastity.

Denoting relation to something that exceeds in rank or degree, in number, size, weight, age, or the like; in a relation of the less to the greater, of inferiority, or of falling short.

Denoting relation to something that comprehends or includes, that represents or designates, that furnishes a cover, pretext, pretense, or the like; as, he betrayed him under the guise of friendship; Morpheus is represented under the figure of a boy asleep.

Less specifically, denoting the relation of being subject, of undergoing regard, treatment, or the like; as, a bill under discussion.

In a lower, subject, or subordinate condition; in subjection; - used chiefly in a few idiomatic phrases; as, to bring under, to reduce to subjection; to subdue; to keep under, to keep in subjection; to control; to go under, to be unsuccessful; to fail; to go bankrupt.

Lower in position, intensity, rank, or degree; subject; subordinate; - generally in composition with a noun, and written with or without the hyphen; as, an undercurrent; undertone; underdose; under-garment; underofficer; undersheriff.

Located below or beneath something else;

Lower in rank, power, or authority;

Down to defeat, death, or ruin;

Through a range downward;

Into unconsciousness;

In or into a state of subordination or subjugation;

Below some quantity or limit;

Below the horizon;

Down below;

Further down;

Subject to the authority, control, or guidance of.

Less than the required standard or threshold.

Yes, "Under" often suggests being directly beneath and possibly covered by something.

Yes, "Below" can refer to something inferior in rank or status.

Yes, "Under" can refer to being subject to someone's authority or control.

In many contexts, they can, but there are nuances that sometimes differentiate their usage.

"Below" is typically preferred, e.g., below freezing.

Not necessarily. "Below" suggests a lower position but not always direct contact.

Yes, such as referring to a note or image below in a document.

Yes, like when someone does something under pressure.

It's more standard to say "It's below zero degrees".

Yes, "Below" might imply some distance or separation between entities.

Yes, like when referring to authority, such as working under someone.

No, both "Below" and "Under" can be used in abstract senses as well.

"Under" usually suggests that something is directly beneath something else.

Yes, it can indicate something is on a lower floor or storey.

Yes, like when something is hidden under another object.