Understatement | Definition, Examples & Meaning

Understatement is a rhetorical device in which someone deliberately downplays the significance or severity of a situation. Depending on the context, it can be used to bring attention to something indirectly or create a humorous or ironic effect.

Understatement definition

An understatement is when something is intentionally described as less significant, intense, or severe than it actually is. Using understatement is a way of minimizing something and can create irony or humor and provoke thought.

For example, if someone won the lottery, they might say, “It’s not a bad day,” to downplay their excitement. Or someone caught in torrential rain might say, “I’m a little wet,” to joke about how drenched they are.

Understatement is used in writing, but it’s also common in everyday language. Some people may use understatement to downplay an achievement so they don’t sound arrogant. Others may use understatement to add humor and lighten an otherwise uncomfortable situation.

Understatement is only effective if others understand it as figurative language that isn’t to be taken literally.

Understatement examples

Understatement can be used in different types of writing for various literary effects, from creating irony to provoking thought.

Sometimes, understatement can be used to highlight a certain aspect of a character’s personality.

Types of understatement

Three types of understatement fall within the greater umbrella term. They are:

• Litotes
• Meiosis
• Euphemism

Litotes

Litotes (lai-tow-teez) is a type of understatement that uses a double negative to express a positive. It often uses a reserved tone that creates a subtle yet impactful statement.

Meiosis

Meiosis (mai-ow-suhs) is an understatement that intentionally minimizes or diminishes the importance of something or someone. It contrasts with the gravity of the situation and often creates an ironic or comedic effect.

Euphemism

Euphemism (yoo-fuh-mi-zm) uses soft or vague language to replace a more harsh, unpleasant, or taboo word. Euphemisms are often used to show sensitivity or soften harsh realities, but they can sometimes be used to obscure the truth.

Frequently asked questions about understatement

What is the opposite of understatement?

The opposite of understatement is overstatement, which is a rhetorical device that uses deliberate overexaggeration to emphasize a point or evoke emotion (e.g., “I told you a million times!”).

While understatement is used to downplay the severity or significance of something, overstatement is used to make something seem more significant.

Scribbr’s free Paraphrasing Tool can help you find the best phrasing for understatements in your writing.

What is the difference between understatement and verbal irony?

Understatement and verbal irony are both figures of speech, but they serve different purposes.

• Understatement is when someone intentionally downplays the significance or severity of a situation (e.g., saying that a totaled vehicle “needs a bit of work”).
• Verbal irony is when someone says the exact opposite of what they mean to express humor or sarcasm (e.g., saying “Right on time!” to someone who is late).

Both understatement and verbal irony use roundabout language to express meaning, but they do so in different ways.

Scribbr’s free Paraphrasing Tool can help you find the best phrasing for understatements in your writing.

What is an example of understatement?

Examples of understatement would be saying “It’s a bit chilly” during a severe snowstorm or saying “He’s not bad at cooking” to describe a world-class chef.

Scribbr’s free Paraphrasing Tool can help you find the best phrasing for understatements in your writing.