underwhelm
[ uhn-der-hwelm, -welm ]
/ ˌʌn dərˈʰwɛlm, -ˈwɛlm /
verb (used with object) Informal.
to fail to interest or astonish: After all the ballyhoo, most critics were underwhelmed by the movie.
Origin of underwhelm
First recorded in 1945–50;
under- +
(over)whelm
Words nearby underwhelm
underwater,
underway,
underwear,
underweight,
underwent,
underwhelm,
underwhelming,
underwing,
underwire,
underwithhold,
underwood
Example sentences from the Web for underwhelming
British Dictionary definitions for underwhelming (1 of 2)
underwhelming
/ (ˌʌndəˈwɛlmɪŋ) /
adjective
failing to make a positive impact or impression; disappointing
British Dictionary definitions for underwhelming (2 of 2)
underwhelm
/ (ˌʌndəˈwɛlm) /
verb
(tr)
to make no positive impact or impression on; disappoint
Word Origin for underwhelm
C20: originally a humorous coinage based on
overwhelm