WordGarden.iounderestimate
B2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˈəndərˈɛstəˌmeɪt/
Meanings
Verb
to judge an amount, size, value, or effect as less than it really is
to think too little of someone's ability, value, or importance
Beyond the definition
Imagine you're baking cookies with a friend. If you underestimate how much flour you need, your cookies might turn out flat and crumbly! To underestimate something is to think it's smaller, easier, or less important than it actually is. It's like making a guess that falls short of the truth.
You can underestimate a task—thinking it will take an hour when really it takes three. You can underestimate someone's abilities—assuming they aren't capable of something they absolutely are. And sometimes, you underestimate the power of kindness! It's easy to do, and it often leads to surprises (and maybe some flat cookies).
To underestimate means to judge something or someone as being less in size, amount, importance, or ability than it truly is. It's more than just making a mistake; it implies not fully seeing the true scope or potential of something.
For example, "The company underestimated the public's demand for its new product" means it didn't anticipate how popular it would be and wasn't prepared to meet customer demand. Or, "Don't underestimate her intelligence" warns someone not to assume she is less smart than she appears.
Underestimate can apply to tangible things like time or distance ("We underestimated the length of the hike"), but also to more abstract concepts like difficulty or risk ("He underestimated the challenges of starting a business"). It often carries a sense of surprise when the true extent of something becomes clear. You might say, "I greatly underestimated how much work this project would involve!"
Historically, "underestimate" comes from combining "under-" (meaning below) and "estimate" (to assess value). So, it literally means to place a value below what is accurate.
So whether you're planning a project, judging someone's skills, or predicting an outcome, be careful not to underestimate—because failing to see the full picture can lead to unexpected results!
Examples
- 1
Travel planning
We underestimated the time we needed to get to the airport.
- 2
Moving costs
Many people underestimate how expensive it is to move to a new city.
- 3
Judging people
Don't underestimate her just because she's young.
- 4
Health habits
I underestimated what a big difference a good night's sleep could make.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Job search
He tends to underestimate himself in job interviews.
- Phraseunderestimate yourself
think your own abilities are lower than they really are
- 6
Risk planning
The risks were underestimated at the planning stage.
- 7
Crisis communication
You can't underestimate the importance of clear communication in a crisis.
- Patterncan't underestimate + importance/value/impact
it is extremely important and should be taken seriously
See also
Similar
- underrate
- undervalue
- sell short
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- overestimate
- take seriously
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- underestimate the cost
- underestimate the difficulty
- underestimate someone
- do not underestimate
Word family
- underestimated
- underestimation
Explore
- risk assessment
- bias
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- underestimatenounverb
Forms
- underestimatedpast tenseverbnoun
- underestimating-ing formverbnoun
- underestimatespluralnounverb