underachieve

[ uhn-der-uh-cheev ]

verb (used without object)

, un·der·a·chieved, un·der·a·chiev·ing.

1. to perform, especially academically, below the potential indicated by tests of one's mental ability or aptitude.
2. to perform below expectations or achieve less than expected, especially by others.

underachieve

/ ˌundərəˈtʃiːv /

verb

1. intr to fail to achieve a performance appropriate to one's age or talents

Derived Forms

• ˌunderaˈchievement, noun
• ˌunderaˈchiever, noun

Other Words From

• under·a·chievement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of underachieve¹

First recorded in 1950–55; under- + achieve

Example Sentences

There has been particular concern that Protestant males from low-income backgrounds underachieve at school.

From BBC

But it is a testament to the uneven and underachieving history of the Padres that four people with ties to the team could not agree when “Beat L.A.” became a big deal.

From Los Angeles Times

The Wild were a perennial playoff team the past half-decade and seen as underachieving this season before putting things together of late.

From Seattle Times

Instead, largely because of the void created by the Wild underachieving, they’re somehow still in the hunt as is a Nashville team that until this week hadn’t won consecutive games since Jan. 13.

From Seattle Times

Ottawa has had an eventful, underachieving season without Pinto.

From Seattle Times