underachieve

American  

[uhn-der-uh-cheev] / ˌʌn dər əˈtʃiv /

verb (used without object)

underachieved, underachieving

1. to perform, especially academically, below the potential indicated by tests of one's mental ability or aptitude.

2. to perform below expectations or achieve less than expected, especially by others.

---

underachieve British  

/ ˌundərəˈtʃiːv /

verb

1. (intr) to fail to achieve a performance appropriate to one's age or talents

---

Other Word Forms

• underachievement noun
• underachiever noun

Etymology

Origin of underachieve

First recorded in 1950–55; under- + achieve

Example Sentences

There has been particular concern that Protestant males from low-income backgrounds underachieve at school.

From BBC • Oct. 17, 2024

Schiano’s Ohio State defenses went on to underachieve by the standards of their immense talent advantage.

From Slate • May 12, 2021

He took over a team led by guards Lewis, John Petty and Herbert Jones that seemed to underachieve last season.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 24, 2019

The days of watching the Bruins underachieve are likely dwindling with Chip Kelly now at UCLA.

From Washington Times • Dec. 13, 2017

There was some fluctuation, but year after year, the same teams seemed to over- and underachieve.

From Washington Post • Oct. 28, 2016