underachiever
Americannoun
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a student who performs less well in school than would be expected on the basis of abilities indicated by intelligence and aptitude tests, etc.
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a person or thing that performs below expectations.
Etymology
Origin of underachiever
1945–50; under- + achiever ( def. )
Vocabulary lists containing underachiever
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Suddenly, Walker has a new label—not as an underachiever, but as the burgeoning star he was always supposed to be.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026
All eyes are on Herbert in his sixth season, trying to shed the label of postseason underachiever, while some of his signal-calling peers — defined by playoff success — remain a tier above.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2025
He is regarded as an underachiever with a gaping hole in his otherwise glittering CV because he has yet to win the Masters at Augusta to complete the career Grand Slam.
From BBC ● Jan. 28, 2025
A committed underachiever, Remi was going blind in her left eye but too slowly to warrant anybody’s concern.
From Slate ● Jan. 27, 2024
Bart Simpson, the underachiever, "mediocre and proud of it," is a model for everyone who is told that what really counts is to feel good, period.
From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Mihai Nadin
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
