# underestimate

/ˈəndɝˈɛstəˌmeɪt/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/underestimate
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to value too low

verb · CEFR B2

to guess that a number, cost, or amount is lower than it actually is.

For teachers: to calculate or estimate a numerical value, such as cost or quantity, at a level lower than the true figure.

- The builders underestimated the cost of the repairs, so we had to pay more later.
- The finance department underestimated the quarterly expenses by nearly ten percent, leading to a significant budget shortfall in the final month.

Usage: Transitive verb taking a direct object, often a numerical or financial noun phrase.

### 2. to judge someone's ability poorly

verb · CEFR B2

to think that someone or something is less capable or dangerous than they really are.

For teachers: to fail to appreciate the true strength, skill, or difficulty of a person or situation.

- Never underestimate your opponent in a game, even if they look tired.
- The incumbent candidate lost the election because he underestimated the public's desire for radical policy changes.

Usage: Often used in the imperative as a warning: 'Never underestimate...'

### 3. a low guess

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a guess or calculation that is lower than the real amount.

For teachers: an assessment or calculation that is lower than the actual or required amount.

- The initial report was a serious underestimate of how many people would attend.
- The structural engineer's report proved to be a dangerous underestimate of the reinforcement required for the bridge's foundation.

Usage: Countable noun; frequently follows the verb 'to be' or functions as the object of 'to provide'.

## Examples

- The initial budget was a serious underestimate of the total cost.
- Calling the storm a minor inconvenience was a massive underestimate of the damage it eventually caused.
- The report suggested that the official figures were a significant underestimate, failing to account for the thousands of workers in the informal economy.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.