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

However, one reason may be underrated due to the perceptions people have about Canada.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2026

Gyllenhaal’s love for other variations of this story is right up there onscreen with brash callbacks to Mel Brooks’ 1974 “Young Frankenstein” and the underrated “Frankenhooker.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026

By the time she starred opposite Melissa McCarthy in Paul Feig’s criminally underrated “Spy,” she had a few more experiences under her belt.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

From both the data and personal experiences, I’ve concluded that “oversharing” is underrated.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

It was clear that Holly had not underrated their danger near Efrafa.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

Related Words

• underestimate
• underprice
• undervalue