understatement
intermediateB2/ˌʌndərˈsteɪtmənt/ · un-der-state-ment
The presentation of something as being smaller, less important, or less bad than it really is.
Meanings
The presentation of something as being smaller, less important, or less bad than it really is.
کسی چیز کو اس سے کم اہم، کم بڑا یا کم برا پیش کرنا جو کہ واقعی ہے۔
ہلکی الفاظ
halkee alfaaz
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
- artistic understatement
- political understatement
- literary understatement
Example Sentences
His statement about the disaster was an understatement.
اس کا بیان سانحے کے بارے میں ہلکی الفاظ میں تھا۔
Us ka bayan sanihay ke bare mein halkee alfaaz mein tha.
To say she was disappointed would be an understatement.
کہنا کہ وہ مایوس تھی، ایک ہلکی الفاظ ہے۔
Kehna keh woh mayoos thi, aik halkee alfaaz hai.
Her performance was good, but calling it extraordinary is an understatement.
اس کی کارکردگی اچھی تھی، لیکن اسے شاندار کہنا ہلکی الفاظ ہے۔
Us ki karkardagi achi thi, lekin ise shandar kehna halkee alfaaz hai.
Easily Confused With
Word Family
See Also
💡 Memory Tip
Think of 'under' as lowering the importance of a statement.
Picture a scale tipping down to represent something being made smaller.
✍️ Urdu Poetry
پہچان کے ہلکے الفاظ میں ہے ساری کارروائی، جو جان لے وہی ہے طاقتور یدِ شائری
Pehchaan ke halke alfaaz mein hai saari karwai, jo jaan le wahi hai taqatwar yad-e-shaari.
The whole action is in the light words of recognition; only those who understand it are powerful in poetry.
— Unknown, Unverified
* Poetry attribution is AI-generated and may require verification.
🗣️ Urdu Proverb
ہلکی بات میں بڑی بات چھپی ہوتی ہے
Halkee baat mein bari baat chhupi hoti hai
A big meaning is hidden in a light statement.
📖 Etymology
Origin: English "understate" — to present something as being smaller or less important than it is
First known use: 1920
The word 'understatement' has evolved from the verb 'understate', which came into use in the early 20th century, denoting a form of expression that diminishes or minimizes an idea or fact.