Meaning & Definition of Understatement in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: The act of minimizing the importance or impact of something.

  Example Sentence: Saying 'It's just a scratch' when referring to a large dent in the car is an understatement.

• Definition: A figure of speech that intentionally makes a situation seem less important than it is.

  Example Sentence: His description of the event as 'a bit of a mess' was a classic understatement.

Etymology

Origin: The word 'understatement' is derived from the prefix 'under-' meaning 'less than' and 'statement,' a declaration.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• a huge understatement: A statement that significantly downplays the situation.
• understate the facts: To present the facts in a way that minimizes their importance.

Translations

• Spanish: subestimación

• French: euphémisme

• German: Untertreibung

• Russian: преуменьшение

Related Words

• overstatement: An exaggerated statement or claim.

• euphemism: A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt.

Slang Meanings of understatement

• Meaning: It's an understatement.

  Example Sentence: When she said the movie was 'not great,' it was an understatement considering how bad it was.

• Meaning: Underplaying it.

  Example Sentence: He was really underplaying it when he called the storm 'a bit windy.'