# understatement

/ˈəndɝˌsteɪtmənt/ (US) · /ˌʌndəstˈeɪtmənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/understatement
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. making something seem smaller

noun · CEFR B2

a statement that makes something seem less important or serious than it is, often to be funny or polite.

For teachers: a figure of speech or statement that represents something as less significant than it truly is, frequently employed for ironic or understated emphasis.

- To say the marathon was 'a bit tiring' is a huge understatement.
- Describing the total collapse of the company as a 'minor setback' was a masterclass in corporate understatement.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'to say that... is an understatement'.

### 2. a style of restraint

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a style of acting, dressing, or speaking that is simple and not flashy.

For teachers: the quality of being subtle or restrained in presentation, avoiding excessive decoration or emotional display.

- The room was decorated with elegant understatement, using only grey and white.
- The actor's performance was praised for its quiet understatement, conveying deep grief without a single shout or tear.

Usage: Uncountable in this sense.

## Examples

- Calling a hurricane 'a bit of rain' is a huge understatement.
- To say the CEO was disappointed by the bankruptcy would be a massive understatement.
- The author's use of dry understatement serves to heighten the emotional impact of the tragedy, as the characters' restrained reactions contrast sharply with the gravity of their situation.

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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.