underrated

American

[uhn-der-rey-tid] / ˌʌn dərˈreɪ tɪd /

adjective

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.

verb

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I asked Gemini to give away the ending to the 10-minute YouTube video, “Your Microwave’s Most Underrated Button.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

Underrated nose tackle Maxwell Amasio was a pest getting into the backfield.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 14, 2023

Boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 18 will compete for the “Curry Cup” at the Underrated Tour Championship at TPC Harding Park.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 26, 2022

Underrated last year, Bolton gets the credit he deserves in 2020.

From Washington Times • Sep. 4, 2020

But when away his regiment ran, His place was at the fore, O- That celebrated, Cultivated, Underrated Nobleman, The Duke of Plaza-Toro!

From Songs of a Savoyard by Gilbert, W. S. (William Schwenck), Sir

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023