understatement

[US]/ʌndə'steɪtm(ə)nt/
[UK]/'ʌndɚstetmənt/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

n. A restrained statement or expression; saying less than what is true; treating something important as if it were insignificant; playing down.

Phrases & Collocations

an understatement

Example Sentences

To say he wasn’t amused must be the understatement of the year.

It's an understatement to say she's talented.

To call him a hard worker is an understatement.

Her beauty is an understatement.

To say he's busy is an understatement.

He's not just a good student, that's an understatement.

To say he's upset is an understatement.

She's not just a great singer, that's an understatement.

To call her a fashion icon is an understatement.

His generosity is an understatement.

Real-world Examples

I mean, to say that we were shocked would be an understatement.

Source: Desperate Housewives (Audio Version) Season 2

That's an understatement – it was awful.

Source: BBC Authentic English

It would be an understatement to call it a significant help.

Source: A Brief History of Everything

To say they got it wrong was an understatement.

Source: CNN 10 Student English December 2019 Collection

Rocko's father says proud would be an understatement.

Source: CNN 10 Student English August 2020 Compilation

To say it was powerful would be an understatement.

Source: PBS Space Science

To say that it is competitive would be a huge understatement.

Source: Two-Minute Paper

To say that UY Scuti is huge would be an understatement.

Source: If there is a if.

To say that Goblin was angry would have been an understatement.

Source: Spider-Man: No Way Home

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