underachieving
|un-der-a-chiev-ing|
B2
/ˌʌndərəˈtʃiːvɪŋ/
(underachieve)
perform below potential
Etymology
Etymology Information
'underachieve' originates from the prefix 'under-' meaning 'below' and the verb 'achieve' from Old French 'achever', meaning 'to complete'.
Historical Evolution
'underachieve' was formed in the 20th century by combining 'under-' with 'achieve'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to achieve less than expected', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
failing to perform as well as expected or as well as one's potential would suggest.
Despite his potential, he was labeled as underachieving in school.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:40