ENGLISH
REFERENCE

misunderstood

adj.
US //ˌmɪsəndɝˈstʊd// UK //mɪsˌʌndəstˈʊd// mis·un·der·stood
  1. 1 incorrectly interpreted (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    not understood correctly by others.

    describing information, words, or situations that have been interpreted incorrectly.

    Example

    The instructions were misunderstood by most of the students in the class.

    Example

    The subtle irony in his closing remarks was widely misunderstood by the press, leading to a series of misleading headlines the following morning.
  2. 2 not appreciated (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    feeling that other people do not see your true character or good intentions.

    describing a person whose character, motives, or talents are not appreciated or correctly valued by others.

    Example

    He was a misunderstood teenager who just wanted someone to listen to him.

    Example

    The artist remained misunderstood throughout her lifetime, only achieving critical acclaim decades after her death when her radical techniques were finally recognised.

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