below
below
Pronunciation
IPA phonetic spelling for "below": /bɪˈloʊ/
bi-: /bɪ/ (b as in "boy," i as in "bit")
low: /loʊ/ (l as in "light," ow as in "go")
Word Form Variations
"Below" is primarily an adverb or preposition, and as such, it does not typically have singular, plural, or other inflectional word form variations in the same way nouns or verbs do.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
Definition 1: In or to a lower position or place than something else; underneath.
Synonyms: underneath, beneath, under, lower
Antonyms: above, over, on top
Example: The sun dipped below the horizon.
Definition 2: Of a lower rank, level, or standard; inferior to.
Synonyms: inferior, subordinate, secondary, lesser
Antonyms: above, superior, primary, higher
Example: Her performance was below expectations.
Definition 3: Less than a specified amount, number, or degree.
Synonyms: under, less than, fewer than, short of
Antonyms: above, over, more than, exceeding
Example: The temperature dropped below freezing.
Preposition
Definition 1: At a lower level or position than.
Synonyms: beneath, under, underneath
Antonyms: above, over
Example: The cat was hiding below the bed.
Definition 2: Less than (in quantity, amount, or rank).
Synonyms: under, less than, subordinate to, inferior to
Antonyms: above, over, superior to
Example: The city lies below sea level.
Examples of Use
Books:
"His gaze drifted from the distant mountains to the valley below, a patchwork of green fields and winding rivers." (From a fictional novel, e.g., The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, describing scenery)
"Please refer to the diagram below for a detailed illustration of the circulatory system." (From a non-fiction textbook, e.g., Gray's Anatomy, in reference to an accompanying visual)
Newspapers:
"The local government announced that water levels in the reservoir have fallen significantly below average for this time of year." (Daily Nation, Nairobi, Kenya, environmental report)
"Property prices in the central business district are expected to remain stable, with only a slight increase forecast below the national average." (The Standard, Kenya, real estate section)
Online Publications:
"Scroll below to see a gallery of the stunning red carpet looks from last night's awards." (E! Online, entertainment news website)
"The comments section below is open for your thoughts and opinions on this controversial topic." (Huffington Post, opinion piece)
"For more details on our privacy policy, please click the link below." (Amazon.com, website footer)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Show (Dialogue): "Look out below!" (A character yelling this in a cartoon, e.g., Tom and Jerry, before dropping an object)
Movie (Subtitles/Narration): "[Narration]: From the depths below, an ancient evil stirred." (A fantasy movie trailer, setting a scene)
Video Game (On-screen prompt): "You are now entering the caverns below the old castle." (Text appearing in a role-playing game, indicating a new area)
Music Lyrics: "And the world keeps spinning 'round and 'round / While we're all just living below the ground." (From a song lyric, e.g., Imagine Dragons, metaphorically referring to human existence)
General Public Discourse:
"The performance was well below what we expected from such an experienced team." (A sports coach, speaking to reporters after a game)
"Please don't put that delicate vase on the shelf below; it might get knocked over." (A parent, giving instructions to a child at home)
"The cost of living has risen significantly, making it difficult for many families to live above the poverty line, let alone below it." (A social activist, speaking at a public rally)
"Can you send me the document? It's the one titled 'Project Proposal' in the list below." (A colleague, in an email or verbal conversation)
10 Famous Quotes Using Below
"As above, so below." (Hermes Trismegistus, The Emerald Tablet, ancient philosophical text)
"The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind. There is no play in them, for this comes after work. But it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things." (Henry David Thoreau, Walden, implying a hidden state below the surface of normalcy)
"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." (Albert Einstein, implying understanding comes from looking below the surface)
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." (Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere's Fan, contrasting a low position with high aspirations)
"A lie has no legs and cannot stand; but it has wings and can fly far and wide." (Proverb, suggesting truth often lies below a swift, deceptive falsehood)
"There is no wealth but life." (John Ruskin, Unto This Last, prioritizing the fundamental value of life below material possessions)
"The only way out is through." (Robert Frost, poem, implying one must confront what lies below or within a difficult situation)
"When you reach for the stars, you may not quite get them, but you won't come up with a handful of mud either." (Leo Burnett, advertising executive, contrasting high aspirations with a less desirable outcome below)
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." (Ralph Waldo Emerson, emphasizing inner strength over external circumstances below or around us)
"The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." (Nelson Mandela, implying courage is found in overcoming the internal fear that lies below the surface)
Etymology
The word "below" is pretty straightforward in its origins! It's essentially a combination of two older English words:
"Be-": This part comes from the Old English word "by" or "bi-", which generally meant "by" or "about."
"Low": This part comes from an Old Norse word "lagh" (which became "lowe" or "lou" in Middle English) and simply meant "not high," "near the ground," or "in a humble position."
So, when you put them together, "below" literally meant something like "by a low place" or "in a low position."
The first known use of "below" as an adverb, meaning "in a lower position," appeared in the early 14th century, around the 1300s. While "beneath" was more common back then, "below" started gaining popularity, especially becoming frequent in Shakespeare's writings in the 16th century. Its use as a preposition followed a bit later, around the 1570s.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Below
Below par: Not as good as usual or expected.
Below the belt: Unfair or unethical; a hurtful comment or action.
Below the surface: Hidden or not immediately obvious.
Below deck: In the lower part of a ship.
Below stairs: In or connected with the servants' quarters of a large house.
Below zero: Indicating a temperature colder than freezing point.
Look down below: To observe something at a lower elevation.
From below: Originating from a lower point.
To go below: To descend or go to a lower place.
Under one's belt: Achieved or experienced. (Using a synonym, "under," for similar effect of something being contained or completed.)
Under the weather: Feeling slightly unwell. (Using a synonym, "under," for similar effect of being in a state.)
Beneath contempt: Deserving no respect; extremely despicable. (Using a synonym, "beneath," for similar effect of being at a lower level of worth.)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of below from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
