understate
|un/der/state|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˌʌndərˈsteɪt/
🇬🇧
/ˌʌndəˈsteɪt/
subtle expression
Etymology
Etymology Information
'understate' originates from the prefix 'under-' meaning 'below' and the verb 'state' meaning 'to express'.
Historical Evolution
'understate' evolved from the combination of 'under-' and 'state' in Middle English, maintaining its meaning through modern English.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to express something below its actual value', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to describe something as being smaller or less important than it actually is.
He tends to understate his achievements.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:39