understated
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
- understatedness noun
Etymology
Origin of understated
First recorded in 1935–40; understate + -ed 2
Explanation
Anything that's understated avoids extra decoration or embellishment, like your best friend's understated prom dress, which is somehow more elegant and classic than anyone else's outfit. If your decorating style includes loud colors, lots of knick knacks, big chandeliers, and extra pillows everywhere, nobody is going to describe it as understated. Use this adjective for a restrained, tasteful, and simple style, like your grandma's perfectly understated string of pearls or an actor's beautifully understated interpretation of Hamlet.
Vocabulary lists containing understated
Finally Heard
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Keeping Pace
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The Red Car to Hollywood
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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.
“From the moment you arrive, the home’s timeless Texas limestone facade, rich wood beams, and refined architectural detailing create an unmistakable sense of understated luxury,” the description notes.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026
De Meo, who lived in several countries growing up, is not exactly a grease monkey: He exudes understated elegance, favoring tailored Italian suits and classic watches.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
Jared Stacy, vice president of global live sports production for Amazon, said in a recent interview that his team will maintain the understated tone of the Masters.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026
So pressure to meet forecasts can result in both understated outlooks, which can confuse investors, and decisions on capital allocation, innovation and hiring that can damage a company over time.
From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026
It’s a pointed example of Judge Willmore’s understated eloquence, an easy thing to miss, but a critical insight.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
