underestimate
gb/ˈʌndɚˈɛstəmˌeɪt/ us/ˈʌndɚˈɛstəmˌeɪt/
B1
Anglais
~ 7600
Sens
0 sens
Verbe
B1
action
1
judge something as too low
to think something is less big, less important, less serious, or less difficult than it really is
Schéma d’usage :
to underestimate [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes say *"underestimate about"* (e.g. *"We underestimated about the cost"*). In English, *underestimate* is followed directly by the object: *"We underestimated the cost."* Learners also confuse *underestimate* with *misunderstand*: *underestimate* is about size, amount, difficulty, or importance; *misunderstand* is about not understanding the meaning.
Synonymes
underrate (Very close in meaning; often used for importance or impact, slightly more about personal opinion than calculation.)
|
misjudge (Broader; means to judge wrongly in any direction, not only as too low.)
Antonymes
overestimate (To judge something as larger, more important, or more serious than it really is.)
|
overstate (To describe something as more important or more serious than it is, especially in speech or writing.)
Collocations
seriously underestimate
|vastly underestimate
|underestimate the cost
|underestimate the difficulty
|underestimate the risks
|underestimate the impact
Thèmes
thinking
|work
|planning
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- We completely underestimated how long the project would take.
- The government underestimated the cost of the new rail line by several billion dollars.
- Many people underestimate the risks of driving while tired.
- Companies often underestimate the impact of social media on their reputation.
- I think you underestimate how difficult it is to learn a language as an adult.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I underestimated the time I needed to finish the homework.
- They underestimated the cost of the new house.
- We underestimated the problem, and now it is very serious.
- He underestimated how hard the exam would be.
- People sometimes underestimate the danger of strong wind.
Verbe
B2
action
2
judge someone as too weak
to think a person or group is less strong, less smart, or less able than they really are
Schéma d’usage :
to underestimate [someone/something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes use *underestimate* when they only mean *dislike* or *not respect*, but *underestimate* specifically means to think someone is less strong, less smart, or less able than they are. Also, in friendly talk, *"Don’t underestimate me"* can sound a bit strong or defensive; learners may overuse it where a softer phrase like *"Please trust me"* would be more natural.
Synonymes
undervalue (Focuses more on not recognizing a person’s worth or contribution, especially at work.)
|
discount (Suggests not taking someone seriously or not giving their skills enough weight.)
Antonymes
overestimate (To believe someone is more capable or stronger than they really are.)
|
overrate (To have too high an opinion of someone’s ability or importance.)
Collocations
never underestimate [someone]
|seriously underestimate [someone]
|underestimate her abilities
|underestimate their strength
|underestimate the team
|underestimate the opposition
Thèmes
people
|emotions
|thinking
|relationships
|work
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Don’t underestimate her; she knows exactly what she’s doing.
- They underestimated their opponents and lost the game badly.
- People often underestimate older workers’ ability to learn new technology.
- He badly underestimated me, and I proved him wrong.
- The company underestimated the new startup and was quickly left behind.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Please don’t underestimate me; I can do this.
- They underestimated the other team and they lost.
- Many people underestimate her because she is quiet.
- He underestimated his brother’s strength.
- We should not underestimate children; they understand a lot.
Nom
B2
entity
3
estimate that is too low
a guess or number that is too low and not as big as the real one
Schéma d’usage :
[something] is an underestimate
Erreur fréquente :
Learners often confuse *underestimate* (noun) with *underestimation*. Both exist, but *underestimate* is more common when talking about a number or amount (*"an underestimate of the cost"*), while *underestimation* is more common in abstract or formal talk (*"the underestimation of this risk"*). Also, do not say *"an underestimate about"*; use *"an underestimate of"*.
Synonymes
underrating (More about judging importance too low than about specific numbers.)
|
underassessment (More formal and technical; often used in official or academic contexts.)
Antonymes
overestimate (As a noun, an estimate that is too high.)
|
overstatement (A description or claim that makes something sound bigger or more important than it is.)
Collocations
a serious underestimate
|a clear underestimate
|a huge underestimate
|an underestimate of the cost
|an underestimate of the time needed
|a slight underestimate
Thèmes
numbers
|business
|planning
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Saying the project will cost one million dollars is probably an underestimate.
- The figure of 10,000 refugees is almost certainly an underestimate of the true number.
- Analysts now admit that their original sales forecast was a major underestimate.
- Calling it a problem is an underestimate; it is a full crisis.
- Their estimate of the time needed turned out to be a serious underestimate.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Ten minutes is an underestimate; it will take longer.
- The number in the report is an underestimate of the real cost.
- We made an underestimate of the time for the trip.
- Saying it is "a small problem" is an underestimate.
- Five hundred people is probably an underestimate.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
underestimate
API
GB/ˈʌndɚˈɛstəmˌeɪt/
US/ˈʌndɚˈɛstəmˌeɪt/
Syllabes et accentuation
un - der - es - tim - ate (5 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (un)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: underestimate
- Plural: underestimates
Verb
- Base: underestimate
- 3rd Person Singular: underestimates
- Present Participle: underestimating
- Past: underestimated
Famille de mots
Forms
underestimates
noun
underestimating
verb
underestimated
verb
Core family
estimate
verb B1
underestimation
noun
Related words
estimation
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
overestimate
verb B2
overestimation
noun
Expressions
never underestimate the power of
1/nˈɛvɚ ˈʌndɚˈɛstəmˌeɪt ðə pˈaʊɚ əv/
fixed phrase
strong warning about real power
used to say that something can have a very big effect, so people should not think it is weak or unimportant
Exemples
- Never underestimate the power of a simple thank-you.
- Politicians often say, "Never underestimate the power of social media."
- Never underestimate the power of small daily habits to change your life.