Reading Theme:
Underestimate: Definition, Usage, and Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：undervalue (underestimate)
underestimate
/ˌʌndərˈɛstɪmeɪt/
vt.
To think that someone or something is less important, skilled, or effective than they really are.
undervalue
➕
/ˌʌndərˈvæljuː/
vt.
To believe that someone or something has less worth, skill, or importance than they actually possess.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Under- (below) + estimate (to value/judge). Literally 'to judge below true worth'.
💡 Mnemonic
Under the estimate, you put the bar too low.
📖 Example
Don't underestimate the importance of hard work in achieving good grades.
Don't underestimate the importance of hard work in achieving good grades.
🔗 Collocations
underestimate someone's abilities – to think that someone has less skill than they truly have
underestimate the difficulty – to think that something is easier than it actually is
underestimate the cost – to assume that something will cost less than it does
🔄 Synonyms
undervalue (vt.) – To place a lower value on someone or something than they deserve.
misjudge (vt.) – To form an incorrect opinion about the worth or quality of someone or something.
underrate (vt.) – To assess someone or something as less important or capable than they actually are.
🚫 Antonyms
overestimate (vt.) – To think that someone or something is more important or skilled than they really are.
overrate (vt.) – To have a higher opinion of someone or something than is justified.
exaggerate (vt.) – To represent something as larger or more important than it actually is.
🌱 Derivatives
underestimation (n.) – The act of thinking something is less important or difficult than it is.
underestimating (adj.) – Showing a tendency to undervalue someone or something.
underestimated (adj.) – Not given enough credit or value.
📖 Cultural Story
From Latin 'aestimare' (value) + 'under'. Used since 1500s for the common bias of undervaluing.
Meaning 2：miscalculate (underestimate)
underestimate
/ˌʌndərˈɛstɪmeɪt/
vt.
To guess that the amount, size, or difficulty of something is less than it actually is.
miscalculate
➕
/mɪsˈkælkjuleɪt/
vt.
To incorrectly judge the amount, size, or difficulty of something, assuming it is less than it actually is.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
I underestimated the amount of water I would need for the long hike up the mountain.
I underestimated the amount of water I would need for the long hike up the mountain.
🔗 Collocations
underestimate the amount – to think that the quantity of something is smaller than it really is
underestimate the distance – to believe that the length of a route is shorter than it actually is
underestimate the time required – to assume that completing a task will take less time than it does
🔄 Synonyms
misjudge (vt.) – To form an incorrect estimate of something, especially its size or difficulty.
underrate (vt.) – To assess something as being of less worth or extent than it actually is.
miscalculate (vt.) – To compute or judge inaccurately, often leading to insufficient preparation.
🚫 Antonyms
overestimate (vt.) – To think that the amount, size, or difficulty of something is greater than it is.
overrate (vt.) – To assign too high a value or importance to something.
exaggerate (vt.) – To make something seem larger or more difficult than it really is.
🌱 Derivatives
underestimation (n.) – The act of judging something as less than its true amount or difficulty.
underestimating (adj.) – Involving a tendency to make too low an estimate.
underestimated (adj.) – Not properly gauged in terms of amount or difficulty.
Wordbook
Your data is saved in this browser