below

pronunciation

How to pronounce below in British English: UK [bɪˈləʊ]word uk audio image

How to pronounce below in American English: US [bɪˈloʊ] word us audio image

  • Adverb:
    in or to a place that is lower
    at a later place
    (in writing) see below
    on a floor below
    further down

Word Origin

below
below: [14] Below is a lexicalization of the phrase by low, replacing an earlier on low, the opposite of on high. It was perhaps modelled on beneath.=> low
below (adv.)
early 14c., biloogh, from be- "by, about" + logh, lou, lowe "low" (see low (adj.)). Apparently a variant of earlier a-lowe (influenced by other adverbs in be-; see before), the parallel form to an-high (now on high). Beneath was the usual word; below was very rare in Middle English and gained currency only in 16c. It is frequent in Shakespeare. As a preposition from 1570s. According to Fowler, below is the opposite of above and concerns difference of level and suggests comparison of independent things. Under is the opposite of over and is concerned with superposition and subjection and suggests some interrelation.

Synonym

Antonym

adv.

above

Example

1. Below are a few highlights .
2. Peruse through more comparisons below .
3. The chart below is interactive .
4. We have many millions below the poverty line .
5. Check out this example below .

more: >How to Use "below" with Example Sentences