understate
To state with less completeness than neededTo state (something) with less completeness than needed; to minimise or downplay.
» Her dress has an understated charm.
Meaning
3 senses(transitive)To state (something) with less completeness than needed; to minimise or downplay.
To call this decision a calculated bet understates the risk; it is a Hail Mary pass.
untertreiben
преуменьша́тьpreumenʹšátʹ, занижатьzanižatʹ, недооцениватьnedoocenivatʹ
(transitive)To state (something) with an intentional lack of emphasis, in order to express irony.
She is the queen of understatement: she understated her critique masterfully.
To state a quantity that is too low.
The company had been understating its liabilities for years.
- represent as less significant or important
Examples
4 sentencesHer dress has an understated charm.
Algeria's economic progress cannot be understated.
Mary's clothes are understated.
Brits tend to understate things.
Translations
4 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
Forms
understates, understating, understated, understated| Base form | understate · to understate |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | understates |
| Present participle | understating |
| Past simple | understated |
| Past participle | understated |
regular · Lesson
Synonyms
32 synonymsAntonyms
17 antonymsWord family
4 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle