How to pronounce understate
Say it like UHN-der-stayt. Understate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UHN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce understate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- UHN
- der
- stayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Understate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- UHNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- derKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- staytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of understate
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: UHN-duh-stayt.
What does understate mean?
- To state (something) with less completeness than needed; to minimize or downplay.“To call this decision a calculated bet understates the risk; it is a Hail Mary pass.”
- To state (something) with an intentional lack of emphasis, in order to express irony.“She is the queen of understatement: she understated her critique masterfully.”
- To state a quantity that is too low.“The company had been understating its liabilities for years.”
Where does understate come from?
From under- + state.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying understate
How do you pronounce understate?
Say UHN-der-stayt. The American pronunciation is /ˈʌndɚˌsteɪt/. In British English it is /ˈʌndəˌsteɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in understate?
Understate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (UHN). Broken into parts: UHN · der · stayt.
Is understate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈʌndəˌsteɪt/ (UHN-duh-stayt).