# underrated

/ˌəndɝˈɹeɪtɪd/ (US) · /ˌʌndəɹˈeɪtɪd/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. better than people think

adjective · CEFR B2

used to describe something that is actually very good, but most people do not realize it or give it enough credit.

For teachers: denoting something that is not rated or valued highly enough; better than its reputation suggests.

- I think that small café is very underrated; they have the best coffee in the city.
- The director's early films remain criminally underrated by critics, who often overlook their technical innovation in favour of his later, more commercial successes.

## Examples

- This small café is very underrated and deserves more customers.
- Many critics argue that the band's second album is their most underrated work, despite its poor initial sales.
- While the lead actor received most of the accolades, it was the supporting cast's underrated performance that provided the emotional weight necessary for the film's success.

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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.