underestimate

7 definitions • 10 examples

to fail to guess or understand the real cost, size, difficulty, etc. of something:

Originally the contractor gave me a price of €2,000, but now they say they underestimated and it's going to be at least €3,000.

Don't underestimate the difficulties of getting both parties to the conference table.

to fail to understand how strong, skilful, intelligent, or determined someone, especially a competitor, is:

Never underestimate your opponent!

a guess about the amount, cost, size, etc. of something that is less than the real amount, cost, etc.:

Obviously, $100 was a serious underestimate.

The official death toll could be an underestimate.

to think that something is less or lower than it really is, or that someone is less strong or less effective:

Homeowners often underestimate the cost of repairing a roof.

to think that something is or will be smaller, easier, less extreme, or less important than it really is:

The company sorely underestimated demand and is struggling to expand output.

Court interpreters say the skills required to do the job are underestimated.

to think that someone is worse at doing something, less intelligent, etc. than they really are:

Sometimes his modest manner led people to underestimate him.

an opinion that something is smaller, easier, less important, or less extreme than it actually is:

The total cost is likely to be an underestimate.