underestimate

B2 Topic:Describing People
US /ʌndɚˈɛs.tɪ.meɪt/
verb noun Freq #7518

Meanings

  1. 1
    verb

    To think that something is smaller, easier, or less important than it really is.

    I totally underestimated how hard the task would be.

  2. 2
    verb

    To think that someone is less capable than they really are.

    Never underestimate your opponent.

  3. 3
    noun

    An estimate or guess that is too low.

    The early budget proved to be a serious underestimate.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 verb · to think that something is... underratemisjudge
2 verb · to think that someone is... sell short
3 noun · an estimate or guess that... underestimation
More misunderestimateunderapproximateunderguessunderjudgeunderreckonunderstate
Opposites
Word family
Forms underestimatedunderestimatesunderestimating
Derived forms misunderestimate

Etymology

From under- + estimate.

Topics

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