understatement

English

Etymology

under- +‎statement or understate +‎-ment

Noun

understatement (usually uncountable,

plural understatements)
1. (uncountable, rhetoric) A figure of
speech whereby something is made
to seem smaller or less important
than it actually is, either through
phrasing or lack of emphasis, often
for ironic effect. synonym,
antonym ▲ hyponym ▼
Synonym: meiosis
Antonym: hyperbole
A master of understatement

2. (countable) An instance of such

phrasing or lack of emphasis.
hyponym ▼
Now that's an understatement.
 3. An incomplete disclosure that
intentionally withholds relevant
information.
Related terms

understate

Translations
±statement less than complete show ▼

See also

do a lot of work
Dutch

Etymology

Borrowed from English understatement.

Pronunciation

IPA(key): /ˌɑn.də(r)ˈsteːt.mənt/ (the

realisation may approximate English
pronunciation: /ər/ will often be realised
as [ɚ] or [ə])

Audio 0:02
(file)

Hyphenation: un‧der‧state‧ment
Noun

understatement n (plural
understatements)

1. understatement
Synonyms

parabool

Italian

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from English

understatement.
Pronunciation

IPA(key): /an.derˈstɛjt.ment/, /an.der

ˈstejt.ment/[1]
Rhymes: -ɛjtment, -ejtment

Noun

understatement m (invariable)

1. understatement

References

1. ^ understatement (http://www.dipionli
ne.it/dizionario/ricerca?lemma=under
statement) in Luciano Canepari,
Dizionario di Pronuncia Italiana (DiPI)
Retrieved from
"https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?
title=understatement&oldid=76110682"

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This page was last edited on 13 September 2023,

at 16:18. •
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