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Definition of underestimate verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

underestimate

verb
 
/ˌʌndərˈestɪmeɪt/
 
/ˌʌndərˈestɪmeɪt/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they underestimate
 
/ˌʌndərˈestɪmeɪt/
 
/ˌʌndərˈestɪmeɪt/
he / she / it underestimates
 
/ˌʌndərˈestɪmeɪts/
 
/ˌʌndərˈestɪmeɪts/
past simple underestimated
 
/ˌʌndərˈestɪmeɪtɪd/
 
/ˌʌndərˈestɪmeɪtɪd/
past participle underestimated
 
/ˌʌndərˈestɪmeɪtɪd/
 
/ˌʌndərˈestɪmeɪtɪd/
-ing form underestimating
 
/ˌʌndərˈestɪmeɪtɪŋ/
 
/ˌʌndərˈestɪmeɪtɪŋ/
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  1. to think or guess that the amount, cost or size of something is smaller than it really is
    • underestimate something to underestimate the cost of the project
    • We underestimated the time it would take to get there.
    • The statistics seriously underestimate the number of people affected.
    • underestimate what, how, etc… We underestimated how long it would take.
    Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintyc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • badly
    • considerably
    • greatly
    verb + underestimate
    • tend to
    phrases
    • something should not be underestimated
    See full entry
  2. to not realize how good, strong, determined, difficult, etc. somebody/something really is
    • underestimate somebody/something Never underestimate your opponent.
    • Their ability should not be underestimated.
    • underestimate what, how, etc… Don't underestimate how difficult this is going to be.
    • Don't underestimate what she is capable of.
    Extra Examples
    • He realized that he had seriously underestimated their strength.
    • The importance of these feelings should not be underestimated.
    • We consistently underestimate the resources and motivation of our adversaries.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • badly
    • considerably
    • greatly
    verb + underestimate
    • tend to
    phrases
    • something should not be underestimated
    See full entry
  3. opposite overestimate compare underrate
See underestimate in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee underestimate in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English

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halfway
adverb
 
 
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