Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

understatement

/ˌʌndɚˈsteɪtmənt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.36 in modern English

Syllables
un-der-state-ment
IPA
/ˌʌndɚˈsteɪtmənt/
17
Scrabble Score
14
Letters
4
Syllables
9
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A figure of speech whereby something is made to seem smaller or less important than it actually is, either through phrasing or lack of emphasis, often for ironic effect.

Uncountable

noun

An instance of such phrasing or lack of emphasis; an incomplete statement.

Countable

noun

An incomplete disclosure that intentionally withholds relevant information.

Uncountable

Example Sentences

Etymology

From under- + statement or understate + -ment.

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˌʌndɚˈsteɪtmənt/
  • British English: /ˌʌndəˈsteɪtmənt/

Usage

Inflected Forms

understatements (plural)

Derived Forms

misunderstatement

Frequently Paired Words

do a lot of work litote to say the least

Synonyms

meiosis trivialization

Antonyms

auxesis hyperbole exaggeration overstatement

Rhymes With

statement restatement

Questions

How do you pronounce understatement?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˌʌndɚˈsteɪtmənt/.
What does understatement mean?
A figure of speech whereby something is made to seem smaller or less important than it actually is, either through phrasing or lack of emphasis, often for ironic effect.
Where does understatement come from?
From under- + statement or understate + -ment.

How to pronounce understatement

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “understatement”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌʌndɚˈsteɪtmənt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “understatement”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “understatement” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.