understatement

Everyday

1. An understatement is a way of saying something that makes it sound smaller, weaker or less important than it really is. tree →
2. Understatement is the habit or style of speaking this way, often for humour or politeness. tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons it is a figure of speech, the opposite of exaggeration (hyperbole); British humour is famous for it. In everyday talk: «That's an understatement!» means the truth is much bigger. In stories it shows a calm or funny character: calling a hurricane «a bit windy».

Examples

• Saying the hurricane was «a bit windy» is an understatement. tree →
• «It's an understatement to say I was hungry – I was starving!» tree →
• British people are known for understatement. tree →
• The coach called our 10–0 win «not bad», which was an understatement. tree →
• Find the understatement in the poem. tree →
• To say the test was hard is an understatement. tree →

Note

Opposite: «overstatement» or «exaggeration». Not a lie: the speaker and listener both know the truth is bigger. «The understatement of the year» is a joking phrase.