underrated

American  

[uhn-der-rey-tid] / ˌʌn dərˈreɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. rated or evaluated too low; underestimated or undervalued.

   It’s an accomplished album from an underrated band, and will hopefully get them the recognition they deserve.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of underrate.

Usage

What does underrated mean? If you call something underrated, it means you think the general opinion about it is lower than it should be.Underrated is an adjective, but is also the past tense of the verb underrate. It is somewhat more common to call something underrated than to say that people underrate it, but both are used. The opposite of underrated is overrated, which is perhaps more commonly used.Example: I think Brussels sprouts are an underrated food.

Etymology

Origin of underrated

underrate ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

It may be the side of his personality that allowed him to cultivate a solo career of uncompromising integrity and, in commercial terms, one criminally underrated.

From Los Angeles Times

For Patterson, getting the best out of his defenders never proved to be a problem at TCU, where he was known for unearthing underrated prospects on the defensive end.

From Los Angeles Times

I think he's one of the most underrated players in the Premier League.

From BBC

Really, really good smoothies Smoothies are an underrated choice for sick days.

From Salon

This game was won by the underrated Patriots defense, which outplayed Houston’s hailed D and turned Stroud’s frigid afternoon miserable.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• underestimate
• underprice
• undervalue