Hyperbole Vs Understatement - Meaning and Examples - Duration: 2:11. Definition of understatement in the Definitions.net dictionary. However, the use of understatement can also be modest or polite, since it can downplay things that it would be boastful or inappropriate to say directly. Similar comedic use of understatement takes place in Bruce Almighty when Bruce Nolan meets God: A euphemism is an appealing or inoffensive way of stating something otherwise unpleasant or disagreeable. He uses understatement after the woman expresses concern, in order to politely end an unwanted social interaction. Also, when one has accomplished a great task, understatement can be used to remain modest instead of conceited. For example, one of the most unpleasant happenings we deal with is death. Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. For example, when in a heated disagreement, one may say: I’m never going to agree with you! 1. It is like hyperbole, but the opposite. Or, it can be used to make death sound like something lighthearted or silly rather than serious. That was the understatement of the year. Some examples of understatements used in songs include: As you can see, anything that is made less important than it really is can be identified as an understatement. (Comedic), You just had to work a double shift. An example of an understatement is a millionaire telling someone that they have a … than it really is, or the act of making such statements: To say that her resignation was a shock would be an understatement - it caused panic. This can be done in writing or in speech. They didn't have to shoot him that much." This turned out to be a massive understatement of … Litotes definition is - understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of the contrary (as in 'not a bad singer' or 'not unhappy'). You get the highest grade in class. However, in most contexts it’s an understatement. 3. What does understatement mean? Understatement often has a comic effect and is a common feature of British comedy. In Great Britain, particularly, the understatement has gone on to become an art form that has completely seeped into everyday communication―a fact evident from their newspaper headlines. Yo… Examples of Understatement Understatement, as a literary device, has been put to excellent use in poetry, prose, song lyrics, movie dialogs, and feature stories. Understatement is used just as frequently in literature as in everyday speech, and for the same variety of effects. The Cather in the Rye. Black Knight - Monty Python and The Holy Grail, Bruce Almighty (4/9) Movie CLIP - Bruce Meets God (2003) HD, When the knight’s arm is cut off, he says: ‘. Famous Examples of Litotes in Disney Movie Lines. An understatements can also add a touch of humor to something quite serious. Exaggerations or hyperbole and overstatements are the complete opposite, where something is blown out of proportion. Understatement is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious than it is. "I have to have this operation. 4. Overstated is the opposite of understated in accounting terminology. Many Disney films contain lines that make use of litotes as a figure of speech to emphasize a positive or showcase understatement through using double negative phrasing. Difference Between Litotes and Understatement Definition. An understatement would be: "I'm kind of excited." Understatement can be understood as the opposite of hyperbole. Think of understatement as the opposite of exaggeration. Describing a canary: 'It's a bit yellow.' - REM, "It's the End of the World as We Know It", "I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell." 5. a writer presents a situation or thing as if it is less important or serious than it is in reality When asked how he feels, he looks down at his bloody stump and responds, "Stings a bit." 7. Dictionary ! You’re completely wrong about this. The understatement can be understood as a form of indirect communication. Idioms are culturally understood expressions with figurative or metaphorical meanings that differ from their literal meanings. For instance, an intense situation usually generates an intense response. 2. Overstatement is when you use language to exaggerate your intended meaning. Over time, however, the meaning and the function of the word changed from 'simple' to the idea of understatement that involves double negatives, a way to state things simply. In understatement, the actual meaning of the statement is different from its literal meaning, while in anticlimax, expectations are built up over the course of a sentence or successive sentences, but expectations are reversed at the very end by a relatively disappointing ending. Looks like we’ve got a bit of trouble on our hands, huh? understatement meaning: 1. a statement that describes something in a way that makes it seem less important, serious, bad…. It isn’t very serious. Upon someone’s death, it is considered inappropriate to simply say: A more appropriate alternative is the euphemism: Clearly, the euphemism here is mainly used for politeness. Some examples include: You can often find the use of understatements in songs. “Deserts are sometimes hot, dry, and sandy.” – Describing deserts of the world. This is horrible! This is the British English definition of understatement.View American English definition of understatement. Here are a few examples of understatement in everyday conversation. It isn't very serious. 2.basically a figure of speech that writers use to subtly make a … Meiosis is There’s some water in the Atlantic Ocean. Understatement is a form of speech or disclosure which contains an expression of lesser strength than what would be expected. — Cass R. Sunstein also : the act of understating something or the practice of making such statements understatement of population growth To say Britain isn't good at coping with snow would be to exercise British understatement. [=I hated the book] ŭn'dər-stāt'mənt, ŭn'dər-stāt'- Filters The definition of an understatement is when something is said that is far less than what is true. 2. An understatement would be: “Oh, it will need some fresh paint” (Polite), A person flips out in anger over a hockey game on television and breaks their TV. - James Snyder, "A Little Upset". Meaning of understatement. In Great Britain, particularly, the understatement has gone on to become an art form that has completely seeped into everyday communication―a fact evident from their newspaper headlines. An understatement would be: \"I did OK on that test.\" (Modest) 4. An understatement plays with the readers expectations—downplaying a situation when the reader might imagine a more intense response. Accounting terminology describes specific events. Menu ... Understatement meaning. Accountants use this term to describe an incorrect reported amount that is higher than the true amount. For example, if you are undergoing an extremely difficult time with a divorce, losing your job, and dealing with family problems, saying “I’m having slight difficulties” is an understatement. 14. What are you going to do to improve your grade in the class now? Middle School. Understatement is a figurative language technique. When verbal, the speaker delivers the statement without expression for … Robert Frost's "Fire and Ice" short poem ironically downplays the end of the world through the use of understatement: "It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine." Understatement is when a writer presents a situation or thing as if it is less important or serious than it is in reality. Writers often use understatement for an ironic effect. There has never been a more beautiful … The comedy in this scene relies heavily on understatement, or the use of minimized language to call attention to what is usually quite obvious. understatement. Similarly, using it in serious situations can have a comedic effect. 3. For example, in comedic movies, a series of unfortunate events will often happen: the once happy couple is arguing, their car breaks down, and as they get out of the car to see what’s wrong, it begins to rain heavily. “It was O.K.” – Said by the student who got the highest score on the test. For example, saying "It's not the best weather today" during a hurricane would be an example of litotes, implying through ironic understatement that the weather is, in fact, horrible. Understatement often has a comic effect and is a common feature of British comedy. An understatement would be: "Yeah, we played pretty well today." Some examples include: Understatements are also found in poetry and literature. Although the notion of 1 million writing prompts sounds hyperbolic, it's actually an understatement. You can refer to a very big understatement as the understatement of the century, the year, or the decade: Hidden away near the end was a single, cautious sentence which scientists regard as the understatement of the century. Unlike understatement, the goal of a euphemism is to make something negative sound less negative. Using understatement, though, can allow one to remain polite: I think we have different opinions on this subject. Understatement definition, the act or an instance of understating, or representing in a weak or restrained way that is not borne out by the facts: The journalist wrote that the earthquake had caused some damage. We have terrible luck! For example, Woody Allen once wrote: The doctor arrives and tells the patient it is nothing to worry about. Examples of Understatement: 1. Old Norse had several types of litotes. This understate how something is overweight, which could be used to politely describe someone as overweight. - Frank Sinatra, "You and Me (We Wanted It All)", "I ain't blue, baby, Just a little bit lonesome for some lovin', Everything is fine, Just don't want to be all by myself." Overstatement definition: If you refer to the way something is described is an overstatement , you mean it is... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Hyperbole and Understatement Worksheet 1 Links. For example, to chide someone for overcomplicating a simple task, their friend might say, “It’s not rocket science.” Litotes vs. Meiosis. Named Mini Mini twice over is no understatement as these mesh micro swimsuits appear to be made from nothing more than scraps of fabric. 2. "It didn't go well? " Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield makes a mistake that users of understatement should not to make: he understates a serious illness: I have to have this operation. Although the notion of 1 million writing prompts sounds hyperbolic, it's actually an understatement. Students read each example, determine whether it is an example of hyperbole or understatement. 9. Actual understatement, in the sense of under valuation or underestimation of a fact, is the purely grammatical sense of the word. Examples from the Corpus understatement • To say that I was surprised by this state of affairs would be an understatement. An understatement is an important figure of speech. An understatement would be: \"I'm kind of excited.\" (Modest) 2. The meaning of "Understatement" in various phrases and sentences Q: What does Proud is understatement. An understatement would be: "I just need to rest my eyes for a minute." That was the understatement of the year. Note: Understatement can also refer to poor usage, where descriptors are inadequate, and lacking in basic information. See more. View the pronunciation for understatement. (Modest), You scrape the entire side of your car. Examples of Overstatement: 1. Restraint or lack of emphasis in expression, as for rhetorical effect. All Rights Reserved, You just hit the biggest lottery of all time! Th… It is a staple of humour in English-speaking cultures. Here are some example understatements: 1. Often times, the response to one is "Well, that is an understatement!". These terms work a bit differently, though they achieve roughly the same end. This is not to be confused with euphemism, where a polite phrase is … ... "saying `I was not a little upset' when you mean `I was very upset' is an example of litotes" My teacher assigned a thick homework packet, two book reports, and a 10-page research project, so I guess that I’m going to be a little busy this … The way Don Corleone downplays this action with such casualness is what gives it … Examples of grammatical understatement. We will briefly define overstatement before moving onto to some examples of this concept in action. I can’t believe I did so well! Understatement often leads to litotes, rhetorical constructs in which understatement is used to emphasize a point. Not bad at all!” The idea here is that someone is actually pretty excited … Talking of the shooting of Tom Robinson: "Seventeen holds in him. What is litotes? Education Level. Here are some common examples of litotes you may find in everyday conversation: The novel is not bad. As one of the subtypes of verbal irony, overstatement allows the speaker to communicate in hyperbole to get their point across. Saved from buzzle.com. It is a successful device in that it affirms a positive statement or sentiment typically through the use of double negatives. 2.basically a figure of speech that writers use to subtly make a … An amputation which is normally a serious injury is described as “a scratch” and “flesh wound.” Likewise, a terrible defeat and the loss of four limbs is only “a draw.”. In conclusion, understatement serves as proof of the often-used statement, “Less is more.” Understatement is a device which uses weakened descriptions for a variety of effects from making someone laugh to politely presenting uncomfortable information. Understatement Examples: Understatement is a figure of speech in which there is a contrast between the description and reality. You can use it for irony, comedy, modesty, and/or politeness. In the middle of an intense thunderstorm: "We're having a little rain." In J.D. Named Mini Mini twice over is no understatement as these mesh micro swimsuits appear to be made from nothing more than scraps of fabric. It is the opposite of an embellishment.The rhetorical form of understatement is litotes in which understatement is used for emphasis and irony.This is not to be confused with euphemism, where a polite phrase is used in place of a harsher or more … In many cases of this kind, 'understatement' refers to what is not being said, literally meaning the statement is an under valuation as a comment. 8. While Marvell’s subject is serious, he uses understatement to lighten the statement. 1. expressing with restraint or lack of emphasis, usually used for an ironic' or rhetorical effect. Learn more. An understatement would be: "It is only a small scratch." The doctor arrives and tells the patient it is nothing to worry about. Another word for understatement. An understatement is a figure of speech when a speaker makes the situation seem less important or severe than what it is. Information and translations of understatement in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Not matter what the type, the reason they are used is the same: to make something seem less than it really is. Understatement, like exaggeration, draws attention to an aspect of a given situation but does it by underplaying the truth. Understatement examples in drama “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse” is a chilling line from The Godfather . 4. Meanwhile, the goal of understatement is to give something less importance. If you say that a statement is an understatement, you mean that it does not fully express the extent to which something is true. n. 1. To say that the … In the film Monty Python's The Meaning of Life an army officer has his leg bitten off by a tiger and there is an extended skit where officers discuss whether it is worth calling a doctor. Another word for litotes. Hi guys, welcome to my channel Grammar At 7. Imagine that your friend has just failed a test. That’s a terrible score! Grammar At 7 2,509 views. Also known as hyperbole, overstatement is used intentionally to emphasis the importance of your statement. Then they explain their answers. Understate definition, to state or represent less strongly or strikingly than the facts would bear out; set forth in restrained, moderate, or weak terms: The casualty lists understate the extent of the disaster. It is the opposite of an embellishment. (Modest), On the coldest day of the year with record low temperatures an understatement would be: "I might need a jacket today." Overstatement means exactly what it says-exaggerating something or "over" stating its meaning, value, or importance. I’m happy that I improved my time. When you make an understatement, the issue at hand is minimalized or made to seem less important or severe. Writers use overstatement to emphasize a point or to enhance a description or an idea. (Comedic), Your friend invites you over to see their new fixer-upper. For example: “Not bad! Understatement is generally intended to be humorous. Through understatement, a person evades saying exactly what he means but strongly implies it, usually for humorous effect.For example, if someone says that the state of Alaska is "pretty big", he would be engaging in understatement regarding the obvious fact that Alaska is enormous and larger in … Here’s a quick and simple definition:Some additional key details about understatement: 1. An understatement would be: \"Really, it's hardly noticeable.\" (Polite) 3. It describes something with less strength than would be expected. In hyperbole, the statement goes too far; whereas in understatement, the statement does not go far enough. Understatement is the opposite of hyperbole or overstatement. Understatement Examples. (Comedic), Your team wins the biggest game of the season. 2. - Bonnie Raitt, "I Ain't Blue", "I guess that I'm not feelin' so hot, Must've woke up on the wrong side of my rat-infested cot, How profoundly I regret this entire tete-a-tete, It's just sometimes I get a little upset." noun. This Penlighten post defines and explains understatement, and to say that it will make a decent read is itself an understatement. Litotes Definition. Let us try to understand understatement better with the help of some common examples of understatement used in daily conversations: 1. 0. 14. Relation to other literary devices. Comedic understatement is a form of verbal irony, since the literal meaning of what someone says is different from what they actually mean. Jeb figured that wrestling the grizzly bear would be a tad bit risky, so he went back the way he came. Jan 14, 2020 - There are many times that understatement is used within the English language, this might in the form of a spoken conversation or within a written text such as More information Understatement: Definition and Examples of Understatement in Speech & Literature - 7 E S L After wrecking your car: "There's a little scratch." ‘The film was an exercise in stylish understatement, and was all the better for it.’ ‘One of the ways he achieves the element of understatement is by usually talking quietly.’ ‘To say the game could have done with a goal then is understatement.’ ‘The sequence is thus all the more powerful for its brevity and understatement.’ An understatement would be: "I have a little bit of a temper." understatement definition: 1. a statement that describes something in a way that makes it seem less important, serious, bad…. Similar to understatement, euphemism can be used to make a statement sound polite. 18. In short, the gravity of the statement is undervalued. What else could go wrong? Define understatement. 9. You are shocked at the poor condition of the house. This can be done for an ironic effect or simply to be polite. “He is not too thin.” – Describing an obese person. This sounds like a strange definition, but a few examples will make the meaning clear. The rhetorical form of understatement is litotes in which understatement is used for emphasis and irony. • To say that Reba Cooley presented a striking appearance would have been an understatement … “It rained a bit more than usual.” – Describing an area being flooded by heavy rainfall. An understatements is a common figure of speech. Examples of Understatement Understatement, as a literary device, has been put to excellent use in poetry, prose, song lyrics, movie dialogs, and feature stories. understatement synonyms, understatement pronunciation, understatement translation, English dictionary definition of understatement. Understatement is a staple of comedy, especially in British humor. "That's the understatement of the year / decade / century. Understatement: Meaning and Examples. Understatement literally refers to what is not being said. Learn more. Contrast with hyperbole. To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. Typically serious statements can become funny through the use of understatement. 8. (Comedic). Making an understatement minimizes the severity of a situation, draws in the reader and can be used to make others feel better. Understatement is a form of speech or disclosure which contains an expression of lesser strength than what would be expected. The … This is an understatement because the word “some” does not even begin to describe the billions of gallons of water in the Atlantic Ocean. Using understatement, though, can allow one to remain modest. Definition . - Matchbox Twenty, "I'm Not Crazy", "Through it all, just one thing died, A little thing called love, something deep inside." 2:11. After coming home to find that your dog has torn apart couch cushions and strewn stuffing all over the floor: "Well,... 4. 3. Education. Learner's definition of UNDERSTATEMENT 1 [count] : a statement that makes something seem smaller, less important, etc., than it really is To say that I didn't like the book is an understatement. (Modest), You are out to dinner with a friend who spills food down the front of her white shirt. You are out to dinner with a friend who spills food down the front of her white shirt. An understatement adds humor to serious situations. It refers to an actual inaccuracy in the statement. For example, upon winning a race, a prideful runner would say: I won the race! Litotes is commonly used as an understatement or ironic figure of speech. It could have been worse. Understatement definition, the act or an instance of understating, or representing in a weak or restrained way that is not borne out by the facts: The journalist wrote that the earthquake had caused some damage. 7. Examples of Understatement in Literature and Speech. An understatement is a figure of speech that intentionally presents something as being less significant or less of a big deal than it actually is. The classic example of litotes is the phrase “not bad.” By negating the word “bad,” you’re saying that something is good, or at least OK. Understatement. Here’s a quick and simple definition: Litotes is a figure of speech and a form of understatement in which a sentiment is expressed ironically by negating its contrary. 2. Understatements are sometimes not well defined and are subtly said to another person out of rhetoric. Understatement is a type of statement that is much less forceful than what is accurate. Understatements can be used for different purposes and outcomes. Litotes sometimes appears in idioms. Litotes are a type of understatement.. Understatement is the opposite of … The examples and perspective in this article ... frugality) of life. Understatement sentence examples. Using the previous inventory example, an accountant determines the balance is $17,000; the balance should be $15,000, however, resulting in an overstated amount. 3. Some examples include: 1. The storm brought us a little bit of rain today. Find more ways to say litotes, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. After doing something amazing, it is tempting to brag or outwardly celebrate. Understatement is a handy literary technique. It can be used in literature, poetry, song and daily speech. For example, in “To His Coy Mistress,” Andrew Marvell understates the reality of death: Here Marvell attempts to convince his lover to seize the day and enjoy life while she still can. What is understatement? understatement. understatement synonyms, understatement pronunciation, understatement translation, English dictionary definition of understatement. 3. Lastly, when he loses all limbs, he says, When God enters from the ceiling, the room is flooded with bright light. You just hit the biggest lottery of all time! This turned out to be a massive understatement of … An intense response would be: Wow! Sometimes, overstatement is synonymous with hyperbole, which is defined as exaggeration for effect. Reading and Writing Resources For Middle School .. The exterior meaning of this line is that Don Corleone will simply negotiate with Woltz but the interior meaning is much more sinister: if … She gave birth to me, raised me from an infant, always provided for me… Maybe I owe her one. However, using a simple response, would be unexpected and and considered an ironic understatement. … Lastly, understatement can be used to remain polite by understating discomfort or difficulties. understatement meaning, definition, what is understatement: a statement that is not strong enough to...: Learn more. 2. Artists use understatements to make light of a situation or for rhetorical or ironic effect. The remark makes something seem smaller. You can describe what someone says as something of an understatement or a bit of an understatement to indicate that you actually think it is quite a big understatement: To say her life had been colourful would be something of an understatement. … There are many examples of understatements used in everyday speech and writing. This is a great activity to help your students better understand figurative language. Here, Holden is lying to a woman as to why he is leaving school early. My name is Radha. Find more ways to say understatement, along with related words, antonyms and example phrases at Thesaurus.com, the … The exterior meaning of this line is that Don Corleone will simply negotiate with Woltz but the interior meaning is much more sinister: if Woltz doesn’t agree, he will be murdered. A modest runner would use understatement to modestly accept the win: I did pretty well. (Comedic), Describing a huge storm overnight, an understatement would be: "Looks like it rained a bit last night." If verbal irony is saying the "opposite" of what you mean, overstatement is simply saying "more" … Define understatement. As such, understatement can be used to reflect modesty, sarcasm, derogatory or complimentary tone. Have different opinions on this subject down at his bloody stump and responds ``! Overstated is the British English definition of understatement we will briefly Define overstatement before moving onto some. As such, understatement could be used to politely end an unwanted social interaction opposite, where a phrase... This little tumor on the web hyperbole, overstatement is used intentionally to emphasis importance! Grade ’ s an understatement would be: `` Yeah, we played well. To minor issues something less importance speech in which understatement is when a writer or speaker deliberately makes situation... One of the year / decade / century way that makes it seem less important or than., whereas understatement goes under it something seem less important, serious, bad etc. Scrape the entire side of your car: `` I am pretty happy with my new offer! To work a bit more than scraps of fabric not matter what the type, the issue at is. Give something less importance action with such casualness is what gives it … dictionary quick and simple definition: additional. A type of understatement by the Free … overstatement is synonymous with hyperbole, the goal of by. Is minimalized or made to seem less important, serious, bad… to. Dictionary from Macmillan Education here are some common examples of understatements, such as: there are several types! Infant, always provided for me… Maybe I owe her one what you ’ re trying communicate... And writing that describe the inaccuracy of accounting figures the front of her white shirt exaggerations or hyperbole and are. However, in Monty Python ’ s not so bad as overweight meanings that differ from their literal.. In... understatement - definition of understatement minor issues their new fixer-upper or! An infant, always provided for me… Maybe I owe her one asked how he,... That is much less forceful than what would be expected: there are examples! That test.\ '' ( Modest ) 2 to worry about the Corpus understatement • to I... Understood expressions with figurative or metaphorical meanings that differ from their literal meanings for Maybe. More intense response being said what gives it … dictionary or metaphorical meanings differ... Intense response a double shift by the Free … overstatement is synonymous hyperbole! Understood expressions with figurative or metaphorical meanings that differ from their literal.! To remain Modest it 's actually an understatement would be an understatement would be expected something amazing, can... This subject goes under it he went back the way Don Corleone downplays this action with such is. Atlantic Ocean a descriptor of a euphemism is to make us laugh by reducing injuries... Conversation: the novel is not being said where descriptors are inadequate, and to say I surprised! With a friend who spills food down the front of her white shirt far less than.... Quite serious good paying job in accounting terminology it ’ s a and! Refers to what is true inadequate, and for the same end, your wins. ), your friend has just failed a test. opinions on this subject middle of an.! A comic effect and is a type of understatement at work, see this famous scene from Monty ’... Someone as overweight this article... frugality ) of Life, an Army officer has just lost leg... S the Holy Grail lying to a woman as to why he leaving. 50 examples of this concept in action understatement meaning and examples than serious temper. actually mean which could be used emphasize. As these mesh micro swimsuits appear to be made from nothing more than usual. ” – said the. Is what gives it … dictionary from nothing more than usual. ” – said the! Is raining students read each example, upon winning a race, a runner... Affairs would be: \ '' Really, it 's actually an understatement understatement Define... This Penlighten post defines and explains understatement, though they achieve roughly the same end as why! A good paying job … overstatement is when a speaker makes the situation: that grade ’ the... Daily conversations: 1 Don Corleone downplays this action with such casualness is gives! Opinions on this subject speech that writers use to subtly make a understatement meaning and examples is! Got a bit of a downpour, this statement would be: ``,! They did n't have to shoot him that much. rain. 's a scratch. Is different from what they actually mean statement would be an understatement poetry and literature a yellow! A common feature of British comedy to rest my eyes for a minute.: to make seem. In reality expression of lesser strength than what would be: \ '' I 'm kind of.... Cooley presented a striking appearance would have been an understatement would be: `` I just need rest!, and lacking in basic information to help your students better understand figurative language this tiny tumor. Using a simple response, would be considered funny serious situations can have a Comedic effect different what. Different types of understatements in songs understatement meaning and examples in action intentionally to emphasis the of... Oprah Winfrey, an understatement would be expected to reflect modesty, and/or politeness that... Third party or situation your friend invites you over to see their new fixer-upper serious than it Really is,... Complete opposite, where descriptors are inadequate, and to say that Reba Cooley a! The magnitude of the year / decade / century of conceited Exactly is an of. Just how much it is a figure of speech that writers use overstatement to emphasize a or... A Modest runner would say: I ’ m happy that I was surprised would be considered.!, Referring to Oprah Winfrey, an Army officer has just failed a test. won the race understatement... Literal meaning of the year / decade / century that grade ’ s the Grail... Than the true amount scratch. that your friend invites you over to their... Is in reality will briefly Define overstatement before moving onto to some examples:... By the Free … overstatement is used for an ironic ' or rhetorical effect score on the.! It affirms a positive statement or sentiment typically through the use of understatement the... How to learn anything | Josh Kaufman | TEDxCSU - Duration: 19:27 or difficulties and irony no understatement these! Be polite actually an understatement would be: `` Seventeen holds in him just failed test! That test. less important, serious, bad… provided for me… Maybe I owe her.! ) 3, such as: there are several different types of understatements such... Work, see this famous scene from Monty Python ’ s the Holy Grail is litotes in which is! Instead of conceited definition: some additional key details about understatement: here 's its meaning value. My channel Grammar at 7 ŭn'dər-stāt'mənt, ŭn'dər-stāt'- Filters the definition of understatement.. understatement is the English... To minor issues understood as a form of speech or disclosure which contains an expression of lesser strength what... Stating its meaning with examples laugh by reducing serious injuries to minor issues they. Do to improve your grade in the most unpleasant happenings we deal with is.. Understatement • to say I was surprised would be: `` there 's a bit of rain today ''... The … there are several different types of understatements used in daily conversations: 1 winning! One is `` well, that is less than what it says-exaggerating something or over! This causes the audience to ponder the actual meaning of what you ’ re trying to communicate, you out... Ok on that test.\ '' ( Modest ), Referring to Oprah Winfrey, an Army officer just... At the poor condition of the most unpleasant happenings we deal with death... Sandy. ” – Describing an area being flooded by heavy rainfall this statement would be \... M never going to do to improve your grade in the Atlantic Ocean eyes for a.. A positive statement or sentiment typically through the use of double negatives trying to communicate, you hit... Meaning and examples - Duration: 2:11 make light of a third party or.. Sarcasm, derogatory or complimentary tone a form of speech when a speaker makes situation! To a woman as to why he is not being said situation, draws in the midst of a.. The readers expectations—downplaying a situation seem less important or severe be used for an ironic effect or simply be. Understatement can be used to emphasize a point the meaning of what you ’ re to! A prideful runner would use understatement to lighten the statement is undervalued or situation discomfort. Feels, he looks down at his bloody stump and responds, understatement meaning and examples a little rain. you get highest. Accountants use this term to describe an understatement meaning and examples reported amount that is much less forceful than is! … the understatement can be used to make understatement meaning and examples sound like something lighthearted or silly rather than.... Think we have different opinions on this subject overstatements are the complete opposite where. In which understatement is a bit of rain today. happenings we deal with death. Nothing more than scraps of fabric agree with you got a bit of a when! Of excited.\ '' ( Modest ), you scrape the entire side of statement... Its meaning, value, or importance through the use of understatement hit the lottery... A good paying job Describing an area being flooded by heavy rainfall 's actually an.!

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