understatement

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Pronunciation

/ˌʌndəˈsteɪtmənt/

See all 2 pronunciations

/ˌʌndəˈsteɪtmənt/ · /ˌʌndɚˈsteɪtmənt/

Definition of understatement

3 senses · 1 part of speech · etymology included

noun

(rhetoric, uncountable, usually)A figure of speech whereby something is made to seem smaller or less important than it actually is, either through phrasing or lack of emphasis, often for ironic effect.

“A master of understatement”
“And that mode of expression is very demurring and self-deprecating. Victorian English was all about understatement.”

See all 3 definitions

noun

(rhetoric, uncountable, usually)A figure of speech whereby something is made to seem smaller or less important than it actually is, either through phrasing or lack of emphasis, often for ironic effect.

“A master of understatement”
“And that mode of expression is very demurring and self-deprecating. Victorian English was all about understatement.”
(countable, usually)An instance of such phrasing or lack of emphasis; an incomplete statement.

“Now that's an understatement.”
(uncountable, usually)An incomplete disclosure that intentionally withholds relevant information.

Definitions from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.

From under- + statement or understate + -ment.

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