Underestimate - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
underestimate
Definition:
To judge something as less important, skillful, or valuable than it really is.
Synonyms:
undervalue, underrate, belittle, minimize
Part of Speech:
verb, noun
Antonyms:
overestimate, exaggerate
Common Collocations:
underestimate the difficulty, underestimate the impact, underestimate the importance, underestimate someone's ability
Derivatives:
underestimation, underestimated
Usage Tips:
Use "underestimate" when describing a misjudgment of value or ability; often followed by "the" or a possessive (e.g., "Don’t underestimate her skills").
Common Phrases:
Don’t underestimate me, Never underestimate the power of…, Underestimate at your own peril
Etymology:
From Latin *sub-* (under) + *aestimare* (to estimate), meaning to assess something as lesser than its true worth.
Examples:
- 1. She tends to underestimate her own talents in interviews.
- 2. Never underestimate the importance of a good night’s sleep.
- 3. Many people underestimate how long this project will take.
- 4. He underestimated the opponent and lost the match badly.