I. un ‧ der ‧ es ‧ ti ‧ mate 1 AC /ˌʌndərˈestəmeɪt, ˌʌndərˈestɪmeɪt/ BrE AmE verb
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ estimate , ↑ estimation , ↑ estimator , ↑ overestimate ≠ ↑ underestimate ; verb : ↑ estimate , ↑ overestimate ≠ ↑ underestimate ; adjective : ↑ estimated ]
1 . [intransitive and transitive] to think or guess that something is smaller, cheaper, easier etc than it really is OPP overestimate
underestimate how/what
We underestimated how long it would take to get there.
underestimate the importance/extent/effect/power etc of something
Never underestimate the power of the press.
2 . [transitive] to think that someone is not as good, clever, or skilful, as they really are
II. un ‧ der ‧ es ‧ ti ‧ mate 2 AC /ˌʌndərˈestəmət, ˌʌndərˈestɪmət/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ estimate , ↑ estimation , ↑ estimator , ↑ overestimate ≠ ↑ underestimate ; verb : ↑ estimate , ↑ overestimate ≠ ↑ underestimate ; adjective : ↑ estimated ]
a guessed amount or number that is too low OPP overestimate :
Fourteen percent may be an underestimate.