understates
|un-der-states|
🇺🇸
/ˌʌndərˈsteɪts/
🇬🇧
/ˌʌndəˈsteɪts/
(understate)
subtle expression
Etymology
'understate' originates from the prefix 'under-' meaning 'below' and the verb 'state' meaning 'to express'.
'understate' evolved from the combination of 'under-' and 'state' in Middle English, maintaining its meaning through time.
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 understates his achievements.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 2
present tense third-person singular form of 'understate'.
She often understates the challenges she faces.
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:41