underachiever

[uhn-der-uh-chee-ver]

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noun

a student who performs less well in school than would be expected on the basis of abilities indicated by intelligence and aptitude tests, etc.
a person or thing that performs below expectations.

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Origin of underachiever

1945–50; under- + achiever

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

disappointment also-ran insolvent turkey bankrupt dud moocher prodigal derelict incompetent beat deadbeat nobody loafer bum castaway flop loser good-for-nothing has-been

Word Origin and History for under-achiever

n.

also underachiever, 1953, from under + achiever (see achieve). Under-achievement is recorded from 1951.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper