underestimate

underestimate

CEFR: B1-B2 /un-der-es-ti-mate/ [ah1.n.d.er0.eh1.s.t.ah0.m.ey2.t]

To underestimate is to guess that something is worth less or is smaller than it really is.

Example sentences include:

Example Sentences:
The city underestimated the cost of the new building.
The number of people in the crowd was underestimated by 5,000.

The word “underestimate” can also mean to think of (someone or something) as being lower in ability, influence, or value than that person or thing actually is.

Example sentences include:

Example Sentences:
Never underestimate the importance of a good education.
Her talent has always been underestimated.

Please note that the overestimate is the opposite of underestimate.