understatement
An understatement is when someone says less than what they really mean, often because they don't want to make things more serious or unpleasant.
When we talk about an understatement, it usually means that someone has downplayed something. For example, if you say "It's a little chilly outside" on a freezing cold day, that's an understatement. You're not telling the whole truth, but rather saying less than what you really feel to avoid making things seem more intense or dramatic. It can be used in many situations like describing the weather, someone's appearance, or even a difficult situation at work. People might use understatement to avoid hurting others' feelings, to make things sound less complicated, or just to show politeness.
How common is "understatement"?
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
noun
(uncountable, rhetoric) 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.
Example: A master of understatement
Real examples of "understatement" in context
