Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
understate. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
understate, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
understate in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
understate you have here. The definition of the word
understate will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
understate, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
under- + state
Pronunciation
Verb
understate (third-person singular simple present understates, present participle understating, simple past and past participle understated)
- (transitive) To state (something) with less completeness than needed; to minimise or downplay.
To call it a calculated bet understates the risk; it is a Hail Mary pass.
- (transitive) To state (something) with a lack of emphasis, in order to express irony.
- To state a quantity that is too low.
- Coordinate term: underestimate
The company had been understating its liabilities for years.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related terms
Translations
to state something with less completeness than needed
to state something with a lack of emphasis, in order to express irony
to state a quantity that is too low
Anagrams