Definition of "under-" in English

prefix

1. Beneath, under

   • e.g. underground, underneath, underpass

2. (figurative) To go from one side to the other; to progress along a path

   • e.g. understand, undergo, underbear, undertake

3. Less than, beneath in quantity

   • e.g. underadditive, underage, underbound

4. Deficient, below what is correct, insufficient

   • e.g. underapply, underbill, underawe

5. Subordinate to

   • e.g. undersecretary, underling, underclass