underestimate

American  

[uhn-der-es-tuh-meyt, uhn-der-es-tuh-mit, -meyt] / ˌʌn dərˈɛs təˌmeɪt, ˌʌn dərˈɛs tə mɪt, -ˌmeɪt /

verb (used with object)

underestimated, underestimating

1. to estimate at too low a value, rate, or the like.

   Synonyms:

   miscalculate, misjudge, underrate, undervalue

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verb (used without object)

underestimated, underestimating

1. to make an estimate lower than that which would be correct.

noun

1. an estimate that is too low.

underestimate British  

/ ˌʌndərˈɛstɪˌmeɪt /

verb

1. to make too low an estimate of

   he underestimated the cost

2. to think insufficiently highly of

   to underestimate a person

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noun

1. too low an estimate

Usage

Underestimate is sometimes wrongly used where overestimate is meant: the importance of his work cannot be overestimated (not cannot be underestimated )

Other Word Forms

• underestimation noun

Etymology

Origin of underestimate

First recorded in 1805–15; under- + estimate

Example Sentences

But perhaps after this month don’t underestimate Europe, either.

From The Wall Street Journal

“So if we think about the California population generally, this is a really significant underestimate of the effects, even though we’re seeing really substantial effects on communities,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

The real risk is timing: overestimating job losses, underestimating the long, quiet rewiring already under way, and overlooking the jobs created in the backbone.

From The Wall Street Journal

Students vastly underestimated how empathic, kind and friendly their average peer was.

From The Wall Street Journal

Grant knows how to play a sensational heel to the hilt and has a knack for choosing movies many are primed to underestimate.

From Salon

Related Words

• belittle
• miscalculate
• underrate
• undervalue