understated
27
6.5
- adjective
- /ˌʌndərˈsteɪtɪd/
:
sobrio
- The gallery showcased an understated collection of paintings that highlighted the beauty of simplicity.
- understated but ironic
- understated revenue
- growth is understated
This is more classy, stylish, understated, sexy.
- This is more classy, stylish, understated, sexy.
- Such class, such style, and yet very understated.
- It's it's really top draw, a classy, understated watch.
- Kathy would briefly touches on it, but folks, this is so understated.
- It's very precise, there's very little ambiguity and it's understated and it's elegant meaning like it.
- And that watch, a very special watch is often quite understated.
- I like to because to me it was so understated.
- OK, look, simple, not flashy, but designer somehow at the same time understated.
- If you want to show wealth, I think you should do it in a quite understated way.
- But look, now you know, I'll, I'll wear an eye, eye watch or something very understated.
- There's, there's a real, there's a real, real fire in his playing and it, and he does it in a really understated way.
Examples
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Steve is one of the most influential yet understated individuals in the world of education.
Blog text (11) -
The actor was determined to give a performance that would be hailed as masterfully understated.
Fiction book (2001) -
Wow, talk about understated but beautiful color.
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It's a pretty understated electric vehicle.
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Rather than something common, I want fancy, yet understated.
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The community's landscape tells a different and much more understated story.
Academic text (2009) -
It's the perfect combination of classic architecture and understated elegance.
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And that's why this is a refined and understated designer dress.
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It's elegant, yet understated.
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Small markers donated by private citizens and civic groups are understated reminders of the original building's significance.
Academic text (2009)
Synonyms
23
5.0
Calm and simple in style without showy details
9
5.1
Simple and honest in style and not trying to impress people
9
4.2
Soft and not bright, like pale colors or quiet sounds
1
5.9
Quiet and simple in style, not showy
1
7.8
Simple and modest in style and not trying to attract attention
Simple and modest in style or behaviour
Simple in style and not exaggerated
Simple and plain without extra decoration
Antonyms
How Subtle
Surface Forms
Morphology
understated = understate (transparent) = under + state + ed
The verb 'understate' is a clear combination of the productive prefix 'under-' and the verb 'state', and adding '-ed' forms the adjectival/past-participle 'understated'.
Etymology
Understated comes from under- meaning 'below' and state meaning 'to say or show'. So it means to present something as smaller or less strong, like to 'underplay' it, which is why an understated style feels calm and elegant.