below

belowpreposition

Below shows a lower position, a lower amount or level, or something not good enough for someone.

1. lower thanat or to a lower position than something

   • The fish swam below the surface.
   • Their apartment is on the floor below ours.
   • The sun sank below the horizon.
   • There's a small garden below the balcony.

   Collocations

   phrase below sea level, below the surface

   Antonyms above

   Compare under (below is a fixed lower position; under can also mean directly beneath or covered by something)

2. less thanless than an amount or a level

   • Temperatures fell below freezing overnight.
   • Her score was below average.
   • Sales stayed below expectations this quarter.

   Collocations

   phrase below average, below expectations

   Antonyms above

3. not good enough fornot good enough for someone, or too unpleasant for someone to accept doing

   • He thought the job was below him.
   • Lying is below her; she would never do it.

   Collocations

   phrase below someone