underside

Everyday

The underside is the bottom side or surface of something, the part facing down. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons pupils look at «the underside of a leaf» (where the stomata and often insects are), «the underside of a rock» (where minibeasts hide), or «the underside of a mushroom» (gills). In everyday life, the underside of a table, car or boat. Phrases: «on the underside», «the underside of».

Examples

• Turn the leaf over to look at its underside. tree →
• Woodlice live on the underside of logs. tree →
• The underside of the mushroom has gills. tree →
• Ladybirds lay eggs on the underside of leaves. tree →
• The price was on the underside of the box. tree →
• The boat's underside was covered in barnacles. tree →
• A starfish's underside has tiny tube feet. tree →

Note

Plural: undersides. One word. Opposite: top, upper side. Also: «underneath», «bottom». Gently put rocks back the way they were after looking underneath.