understatedadj.2
/ˌʌndəˈsteɪtᵻd/, U.S. /ˌəndərˈsteɪdᵻd/ a. Stated below what is adequate or sufficient; that understates the truth.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > [adjective] > evading truth
prevaricating1608
prevaricatory1645
elusory1646
prevaricative1657
equivocating1707
paltering1821
understated1937
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > misjudgement > [adjective] > underestimating or undervaluing > understated
understated1937
underplayed1951
downbeat1953
1937 E. Ambler Uncommon Danger xviii. 275 Zaleshoff gave a brief and, Kenton thought, grossly understated account of their night's adventure.
1978 Language 54 158 This is most clearly exemplified in his chapter on social class and language, where he discusses criticisms of the work of Bernstein (under the somewhat understated subheading, ‘A small misunderstanding?’).
1982 A. Barr & P. York Official Sloane Ranger Handbk. 10/2 The royal family are pretty good here with their understated asides about ‘living above the shop’ and ‘family business’.
b. Of clothes, appearance, etc.: unemphasized, modest; designed not to attract undue attention. Cf. quiet adj. 4.
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the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > simplicity > [adjective]
plainc1330
simplea1382
neat1453
natural1553
austere1581
bare1583
unintricated1649
severe1665
clever1674
light1740
ungaudy1795
unassuminga1807
inartificial1823
quiet1838
unpretentious1838
unabstract1840
uninvolved1853
penny-plain1854
simplex munditiis1874
unstagy1882
clinical1932
shibui1947
understated1957
1957 Punch 6 Feb. 224/1 The clothes..were in good taste, wearable and, to borrow a word much in vogue, understated—or, to use one's own word, dull.
1963 Harper's Bazaar Feb. 41 Catching up with fashion..in this era of understated looks.
1967 Mrs. L. B. Johnson White House Diary 8 Oct. (1970) 578 I changed again into another quiet understated outfit.
1979 R. Jaffe Class Reunion (1980) 15 Emily had longed for a camel's hair coat like Daphne's—understated, sophisticated, collegiate.
Draft additions 1993
(In sense b.) underˈstatedly adv.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > simplicity > [adverb]
plainlyc1385
simplyc1430
severely1656
simple1844
modestly1889
understatedly1972
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > [adverb] > in specific way
to (also into, unto) one's (also the) shirtc1300
in or of (a) suitc1325
in ragsa1350
in (also on) one's shirtc1380
in suit of or with1389
thinlya1400
in suit with1488
finely?1552
raggedly1552
smoothly1579
garish1590
briskly1592
in one's waistcoat1607
in mourning1621
in cuerpoa1640
in gala1757
airily1768
plain1808
in mufti1816
in, on one's stocking-soles1827
seedily1837
in beaver1840
back to front1869
dowdily1887
dossily1903
head-to-toe1946
sharp1951
sharply1965
understatedly1972
1972 New Yorker 15 Apr. 114/3 A plain white cardigan..is made to be shrugged understatedly across the wearer's shoulders.
1984 D. Francis Proof ii. 11 Jimmy was understatedly resplendent in thin fawn polo-necked sweater.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
> see also
also refers to : † under-statedadj.1
<
adj.21937see also