Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [uhn-der-stey-tid]
- /ˌʌn dərˈsteɪ tɪd/
- /ˌʌn.dəˈsteɪ.tɪd/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [uhn-der-stey-tid]
- /ˌʌn dərˈsteɪ tɪd/
Definitions of understated word
- adjective understated restrained in design, presentation, etc.; low-key: the understated elegance of the house. 1
- verb with object understated to state or represent less strongly or strikingly than the facts would bear out; set forth in restrained, moderate, or weak terms: The casualty lists understate the extent of the disaster. 1
- adjective understated If you describe a style, colour, or effect as understated, you mean that it is not obvious. 0
- adjective understated not obvious; subtle 0
- adjective understated restrained, subtle, modest, etc. 0
- adjective understated If an account or a figure on an account is understated, the amount that is reported on the financial statement is less than it should be. 0
Information block about the term
Origin of understated
First appearance:
before 1935 One of the 8% newest English words
First recorded in 1935-40; understate + -ed2
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Understated
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
understated popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 70% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
understated usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for understated
adj understated
- classical — You use classical to describe something that is traditional in form, style, or content.
- hairline — a very slender line.
- laid back — relaxed or unhurried: laid-back music rhythms.
- low key — of reduced intensity; restrained; understated.
- low-key — of reduced intensity; restrained; understated.
adjective understated
- classic — A classic example of a thing or situation has all the features which you expect such a thing or situation to have.
- discreet — judicious in one's conduct or speech, especially with regard to respecting privacy or maintaining silence about something of a delicate nature; prudent; circumspect.
- dry — free from moisture or excess moisture; not moist; not wet: a dry towel; dry air.
- euphemistic — Using or of the nature of a euphemism.
- matte — having a dull or lusterless surface: matte paint; a matte complexion; a photograph with a matte finish.
Antonyms for understated
adj understated
- caricatural — a picture, description, etc., ludicrously exaggerating the peculiarities or defects of persons or things: His caricature of the mayor in this morning's paper is the best he's ever drawn.
- hammy — characteristic of a person who overacts.
- hyperbolic — having the nature of hyperbole; exaggerated.
verb understated
- aggrandized — Simple past tense and past participle of aggrandize.
- emphasized — Simple past tense and past participle of emphasize.
- misreported — Simple past tense and past participle of misreport.
- overdrew — Simple past form of overdraw.
adjective understated
- emphatic — Showing or giving emphasis; expressing something forcibly and clearly.
- exaggerated — That has been described as greater than it actually is; abnormally increased or enlarged.
- flamboyant — strikingly bold or brilliant; showy: flamboyant colors.
- flash — a precedence code for handling messages about initial enemy contact or operational combat messages of extreme urgency within the U.S. military.
- flashy — sparkling or brilliant, especially in a superficial way or for the moment: a flashy performance.
Top questions with understated
- what does understated mean?
- what does understated mean in accounting?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with u
- Words starting with un
- Words starting with und
- Words starting with unde
- Words starting with under
- Words starting with unders
- Words starting with underst
- Words starting with understa
- Words starting with understat
- Words starting with understate
- Words starting with understated