below

 
Pronunciation: /bɪˈləʊ/

preposition

  • 1at a lower level or layer than: just below the pocket was a stain the blistered skin below his collar
  • lower in grade or rank than: the aristocracy rank below the monarchy they rated the company’s financial soundness below its competitor’s
  • lower than (a specified amount or standard): pupils of below average ability below freezing below 50 mph
  • 2extending underneath: the tunnel below the crags cables running below the floorboards

adverb

  • at a lower level or layer: he jumped from the window into the moat below
  • (in printed text) mentioned further down on the same page, or further on in the text: our nutritionist is pictured below right
  • Nautical below deck: I’ll go below and fix us a drink

Phrases

below (the) ground

beneath the surface of the ground: 60 feet below ground

below stairs

British dated in the basement of a house as occupied by servants.

Origin:

late Middle English (as an adverb): from be- 'by' + the adjective low1. Not common until the 16th century, the word developed a prepositional use and was frequent in Shakespeare