understate

Everyday

1. To understate means to say that something is smaller, less important or less serious than it really is. tree →
2. Understated (adjective) also means simple and quiet in style, not showy: «an understated dress». tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons, «understatement» is a figure of speech: saying less than you mean, often for humour («It's a bit wet» in a flood); it is a well-known feature of British humour. In science and news, understating danger or numbers can mislead people. Phrases: «understate the problem», «to say it was hard would be to understate it».

Examples

• He understated how hurt he was, so no one took him to the nurse. tree →
• «A bit chilly» understates it — it's freezing! tree →
• The report understated the number of people affected by the flood. tree →
• Don't understate the danger of thin ice. tree →
• Her clothes were simple and understated. tree →
• Calling the storm «breezy» was a huge understatement. tree →

Note

Regular verb: understated. Noun: an understatement. Opposite: overstate, exaggerate. Understatement is not lying when everyone knows the real size; it is a way of being funny or modest.