understatement
/ˌʌndəˈsteɪtmənt/noun
उच्चारण अन्डस्टेट्मन्ट
कम करके कही गई बात, अल्पोक्ति
Core word
noun
- 1
[C]
a statement that makes something seem less important, impressive or serious than it really is
कम करके कही गई बात, अल्पोक्ति
- To say the trip was 'a bit expensive' is an understatement: it cost us a fortune.
- Calling the flood 'a little rain' was the understatement of the year.
Opposite overstatement exaggeration
- 2
[U]
the practice of making things seem less impressive, important or serious than they are, often for effect
(भावों या बातों को) संयम से, कम करके कहने की शैली
- Radhika spoke about her success with typical modesty and understatement.
- the British habit of understatement
Opposite exaggeration hyperbole
◇Word family
understate verbunderstated adjective
≈Synonyms and antonyms
§Grammar and usage
Usage: litotes is a special kind of understatement that uses a negative to express a positive, as in 'not bad' for 'good'.
Litotes एक विशेष प्रकार का understatement है जिसमें सकारात्मक बात को नकारात्मक शब्दों से कहा जाता है, जैसे 'good' के लिए 'not bad'।