understated

[uhn-der-stey-tid]

adjective

1. restrained in design, presentation, etc.; low-key.

   the understated elegance of the house.

Other Word Forms

• understatedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of understated¹

First recorded in 1935–40; understate + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Her understated androgyny was paired with a shout-singing vocal style that had a snarly, monotone curl laced with abandon and disregard for convention.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He contends this understated Deutsche Bank’s leverage by over €200 billion last year.

Read more on MarketWatch

Flanker Guy Pepper has taken his own shot with four starts of understated excellence this autumn.

Read more on BBC

This version of “The Queen of Versailles,” making the visual most of settings by scenic and video designer Dane Laffrey, that can make Mar-a-Lago seem understated, embraces the sociological fable aspect of the tale.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Where Natural Cycles is understated, Flo is the opposite: bubbly, colorful, full of animations.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bland 
• comfortable 
• cool 
• delicate 
• dull 
• gentle 
• low 
• mellow 
• mild 
• muted 
• pastel 
• quiet 
• smooth 
• soothing 
• subdued 
• sweet