verb
underestimate
uhnd-EHS-tih-mayt
verb
1
To judge something to be smaller, less important, or less difficult than it actually is.
"Don't underestimate how much time this project will take."
"They underestimated their opponent and lost the match."
noun
1
An estimate that turns out to be too low.
"The budget was a gross underestimate of the true cost."
How to Use Underestimate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo think something is smaller, weaker, or easier than it really is.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with overestimate, its opposite.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
underestimated past tense, underestimates plural, underestimates singular
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Don't _____ how much time this project will take.
Etymology
From under- + estimate.