underestimate

[ verb uhn-der-es-tuh-meyt; noun uhn-der-es-tuh-mit, -meyt ]
See synonyms for: underestimateunderestimated on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),un·der·es·ti·mat·ed, un·der·es·ti·mat·ing.
  1. to estimate at too low a value, rate, or the like.

verb (used without object),un·der·es·ti·mat·ed, un·der·es·ti·mat·ing.
  1. to make an estimate lower than that which would be correct.

noun
  1. an estimate that is too low.

Origin of underestimate

1
First recorded in 1805–15; under- + estimate

Other words for underestimate

Other words from underestimate

  • un·der·es·ti·ma·tion, noun

Words Nearby underestimate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use underestimate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for underestimate

underestimate

/ (ˌʌndərˈɛstɪˌmeɪt) /


verb(tr)
  1. to make too low an estimate of: he underestimated the cost

  2. to think insufficiently highly of: to underestimate a person

noun(ˌʌndərˈɛstɪmɪt)
  1. too low an estimate

usage For underestimate

Underestimate is sometimes wrongly used where overestimate is meant: the importance of his work cannot be overestimated (not cannot be underestimated)

Derived forms of underestimate

  • underestimation, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012