What does underrating mean?
Underrating means judging a person, achievement, or thing as less valuable, capable, or important than it really is. The verb is commonly transitive: one can underrate someone's abilities, a rival's skill, an opponent's prospects, or the importance of a problem. Its implication can be critical because it suggests that an inadequate judgment has been made, although the term is not limited to deliberate mistakes. As a noun, underrating names the practice of systematically placing too low a value on people or things; expressions such as 'the underrating of talent' are common in discussions of sport, education, culture, and the workplace. The word is also frequently used as a participle, including in the familiar expression 'underrate oneself,' which describes excessive caution or self-doubt. Its usefulness lies in naming a distinct kind of error: not simply failing to notice something, but assigning it less merit or significance than it deserves.
To judge someone's abilities, merits, value, or potential too low.
"Never underrate a team that has already proved itself in difficult conditions."
Usually transitive and standard in both formal and informal contexts.
The act or practice of judging someone or something too low.
"The persistent underrating of skilled newcomers harmed the organization's prospects."
Usually uncountable; the plural underratings is comparatively rare.
This plural is uncommon; the noun is generally used in the singular or as an uncountable abstract noun.
"His repeated underratings of inexperienced colleagues were poorly received."
The word puts the bias in the direction: to rate someone too low.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does underrating come from?
Underrating was formed in English by combining the prefix under- with the verb rate, meaning 'judge or assess.' The word rate entered Middle English from Old French rate, ultimately from Latin rata, a feminine form of ratus meaning 'calculated' or 'settled.' The related English words rating, ratable, ration, and ratify also trace to this Latin root, while the gerund underrating developed as the action-form of underrate.
Related word forms
How underrating is actually used
The word is neutral in register and common in standard British and American English. As a noun, underrating is normally uncountable, especially in phrases such as 'the underrating of talent,' though the plural underratings is occasionally used.
Easily confused with underrating
Understating makes a fact or the importance of something sound smaller, whereas underrating judges someone's abilities or something's value as lower than it really is.