understated

[ uhn-der-stey-tid ]
/ ˌʌn dərˈsteɪ tɪd /

adjective

restrained in design, presentation, etc.; low-key: the understated elegance of the house.

Origin of understated

First recorded in 1935–40; understate + -ed2

OTHER WORDS FROM understated

un·der·stat·ed·ness, noun

Definition for understated (2 of 2)

understate
[ uhn-der-steyt ]
/ ˌʌn dərˈsteɪt /

verb (used with object), un·der·stat·ed, un·der·stat·ing.

to state or represent less strongly or strikingly than the facts would bear out; set forth in restrained, moderate, or weak terms: The casualty lists understate the extent of the disaster.

Origin of understate

First recorded in 1815–25; under- + state

OTHER WORDS FROM understate

un·der·state·ment [uhn-der-steyt-muh nt, uhn-der-steyt-] /ˌʌn dərˈsteɪt mənt, ˈʌn dərˌsteɪt-/, noun

Example sentences from the Web for understated

British Dictionary definitions for understated

understate
/ (ˌʌndəˈsteɪt) /

verb

to state (something) in restrained terms, often to obtain an ironic effect
to state that (something, such as a number) is less than it is