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underestimate

[ verb uhn-der-es-tuh-meyt; noun uhn-der-es-tuh-mit, -meyt ]
/ verb ˌʌn dərˈɛs təˌmeɪt; noun ˌʌn dərˈɛs tə mɪt, -ˌmeɪt /
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See synonyms for: underestimate / underestimated on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), un·der·es·ti·mat·ed, un·der·es·ti·mat·ing.
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.
to make an estimate lower than that which would be correct.
noun
an estimate that is too low.
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Origin of underestimate

First recorded in 1805–15; under- + estimate

OTHER WORDS FROM underestimate

un·der·es·ti·ma·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use underestimate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for underestimate

underestimate
/ (ˌʌndərˈɛstɪˌmeɪt) /

verb (tr)
to make too low an estimate ofhe underestimated the cost
to think insufficiently highly ofto underestimate a person
noun (ˌʌndərˈɛstɪmɪt)
too low an estimate

Derived forms of underestimate

underestimation, noun

usage for underestimate

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