Understate

Pronunciation: /ˌʌndərˈsteɪt/

Definitions of understate

verb to represent or speak of something as being smaller, less important, or less serious than it actually is

Example Sentences

A1 She tends to understate her accomplishments.

A2 The report may understate the severity of the problem.

B1 It is important not to understate the impact of climate change.

B2 The CEO tends to understate the company's profits to avoid attention.

C1 The artist's humility led him to consistently understate the value of his work.

C2 Politicians often understate the challenges they face in order to maintain public confidence.

Examples of understate in a Sentence

formal It would be an understatement to say that the project was challenging.

informal To say it was tough is an understatement.

slang Calling it easy would be a total understatement.

figurative Her impact on the team cannot be understated.

Grammatical Forms of understate

• past tense: understated
• plural: understates
• comparative: more understated
• superlative: most understated
• present tense: understate
• future tense: will understate
• perfect tense: has understated
• continuous tense: is understating
• singular: understate
• positive degree: understate
• infinitive: to understate
• gerund: understating
• participle: understated

Origin and Evolution of understate

First Known Use: 1625 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The word 'understate' originated from the combination of the prefix 'under-' meaning beneath or below, and the verb 'state' meaning to express in words. It is used to convey a meaning that is less strong or extreme than the actual facts.

Evolution of the word: The word 'understate' has retained its original meaning of downplaying or minimizing the significance of something, but its usage has evolved to include a sense of subtlety or understated elegance in various contexts.