Word · Frequency #15122
understate
轻描淡写；淡化
核心释义
to state something with less completeness or force than is true, minimising or downplaying it.
- 1.
以不够完整的方式陈述；轻描淡写或淡化。
To state (something) with less completeness than needed; to minimise or downplay.
- 2.
故意不加以强调地陈述,以表达讽刺。
To state (something) with an intentional lack of emphasis, in order to express irony.
- 3.
将数量报得偏低。
To state a quantity that is too low.
少报；低报；低估；含蓄地说；故意轻描淡写；以不够完整的方式陈述；轻描淡写或淡化。；故意不加以强调地陈述,以表达讽刺。；将数量报得偏低。
用法In use
The report understates the risks of the new policy.
用法提示：understate 作动词，意为“低估、未充分说明”，此处宾语为风险。
She tends to understate her achievements when talking about her career.
用法提示：understate 表示“轻描淡写、不充分强调”，后接宾语。
The official figures understate the true number of visitors.
用法提示：understate 作动词，意为“少报、低报”，主语为数据。
understate + noun phrase
直接宾语可以是具体的名词或名词短语。
The report understated the risks of the project.
这份报告低估了项目的风险。
understate + how/what/that clause
从句常以how, what, that引导。
相关词与表达Connections
搭配Collocations
- understate the importance
- 低估……的重要性
- Never understate the importance of a good education.绝不要低估良好教育的重要性。
- understate the severity
- 低估……的严重性
- The official report understated the severity of the flood.这份官方报告低估了洪水的严重性。
- understate the case
- 轻描淡写；把情况说轻
- To say the film was disappointing is to understate the case.说这部电影令人失望，未免太轻描淡写了。
- greatly understated
- 被大大低估
- The true cost of the project has been greatly understated.该项目的真实成本被大大低估了。
- understate one's role
学习提示Learner notes
记忆技巧Memory Tip
under（不足）+ state（陈述）：陈述不足，即轻描淡写、有意低调。
语境与语域Context & Register
语域：mixed 常见场景：academic writing、news reporting、everyday conversation 该词通常用于书面或较正式的口语中，表示有意轻描淡写、低估或说得比实际程度轻；在日常对话里也可见于如 “that's understating it” 这类说法，整体语气偏中性而略正式。
语法说明Grammar Note
常作及物动词，后接名词或that从句，表示轻描淡写地说某事。
发音与拼写Pronunciation & Spelling
这些词都与 understate 的重读部分 /steɪt/ 押韵：state、late、great、wait、create、date。注意 great 拼写为 ea 但发音是 /eɪ/；而 estimate（/ˈestɪmət/ 或 /ˈestɪmeɪt/）虽以 -ate 结尾，但不与 -state 押韵。
用法优先级Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 1，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY, WORDNET.