understatement
nounUK /ˌʌndəˈsteɪtmənt/ · US /ˌʌndɚˈsteɪtmənt/
Etymology From under- + statement or understate + -ment.
1
Rhetoric, Usually A figure of speech whereby something is made to seem smaller or less important than it actually is, either through phrasing or lack of emphasis, often for ironic effect.
- A master of understatement
- And that mode of expression is very demurring and self-deprecating. Victorian English was all about understatement.2004, Rowan Manahan, Where's My Oasis?:, page 158:
2
Usually An instance of such phrasing or lack of emphasis; an incomplete statement.
- Now that's an understatement.
3
Usually An incomplete disclosure that intentionally withholds relevant information.
- Derived terms
- misunderstatement
- Coordinate terms
- do a lot of work, litote, to say the least