Library / English Dictionary

UNDERESTIMATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

An estimation that is too low; an estimate that is less than the true or actual value

Synonyms:

underestimate; underestimation; underrating; underreckoning

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("underestimate" is a kind of...):

approximation; estimate; estimation; idea (an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth)

Derivation:

underestimate (make a deliberately low estimate)

underestimate (assign too low a value to)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make too low an estimate of

Example:

Don't underestimate the danger of such a raft trip on this river

Synonyms:

underestimate; underrate

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "underestimate" is one way to...):

misjudge (judge incorrectly)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "underestimate"):

sell short (underestimate the real value or ability of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Antonym:

overestimate (make too high an estimate of)

Derivation:

underestimation (an estimation that is too low; an estimate that is less than the true or actual value)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Make a deliberately low estimate

Example:

The construction company wanted the contract badly and lowballed

Synonyms:

lowball; underestimate

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "underestimate" is one way to...):

approximate; estimate; gauge; guess; judge (judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

underestimate; underestimation (an estimation that is too low; an estimate that is less than the true or actual value)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Assign too low a value to

Example:

Don't underestimate the value of this heirloom-you may sell it at a good price

Synonyms:

underestimate; undervalue

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Hypernyms (to "underestimate" is one way to...):

value (fix or determine the value of; assign a value to)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Antonym:

overestimate (assign too high a value to)

Derivation:

underestimate; underestimation (an estimation that is too low; an estimate that is less than the true or actual value)

Credits