understatement
Pronunciation: /ˌʌndəˈsteɪtmənt/
The English word “understatement” has 3 meanings listed here.
noun
- 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.
- An instance of such phrasing or lack of emphasis; an incomplete statement.
- An incomplete disclosure that intentionally withholds relevant information.
Etymology
From under- + statement or understate + -ment.
Keep exploring: in the interactive dictionary every word of a definition is a link. Open “understatement” there
More English words
- understate
- understated
- understatedly
- understatedness
- understater
- understay one's welcome
- understeer
- understep
About this dictionary
The English dictionary on Glottosphere has 650,529 entries with a page. Browse the English dictionary.
Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.