Meaning of “understatement” in the English Dictionary

English

"understatement" in English

See all translations

understatementnoun [ S or U ]

uk ​ /ˌʌn.dəˈsteɪt.mənt/ us ​ /ˌʌn.dɚˈsteɪt.mənt/

(Definition of “understatement” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

"understatement" in Business English

See all translations

understatementnoun [ C or U ]

uk ​ /ˌʌndəˈsteɪtmənt/ us ​

› a statement that something is much smaller, much less important, or much less serious than it really is:

It's an understatement to say the workers are worried about their futures.
with understatement The report says with understatement, 'there is still much scope for reform'.
understatement of the century/decade/year To say he's been busy would be the understatement of the year.

Compare

overstatement

(Definition of “understatement” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Translations of “understatement”
 
Need a translator?

Translator tool

Get a quick, free translation!

What is the pronunciation of understatement?
Browse