underrated

[uhn-der-rey-tid]

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.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of underrate.

Word History and Origins

Origin of underrated¹

underrate ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Culture is one of the most underrated ideas in economics.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But though solidly directed by Elliott Nugent, it creaks under the weight of Hope’s overbearing presence, despite the fresh appeal of the underrated, and these days virtually forgotten, Goddard.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

According to the National Geographic listing, over the past decade, this "underrated northern England port city" has undergone "significant" revitalisation.

Read more on BBC

And though excitement in the concert hall should not be underrated, finesse has merits, too.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"Maybe society values them less, but they're underrated. There's so much left to explore."

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• underestimate 
• underprice 
• undervalue 

When To Use

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.