Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [uhn-der-pley, uhn-der-pley]
- /ˌʌn dərˈpleɪ, ˈʌn dərˌpleɪ/
- /ˌʌn.dəˈpleɪ/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [uhn-der-pley, uhn-der-pley]
- /ˌʌn dərˈpleɪ, ˈʌn dərˌpleɪ/
Definitions of underplay word
- verb with object underplay to act (a part) sketchily. 1
- verb with object underplay to act subtly and restrainedly. 1
- verb with object underplay to understate or de-emphasize; downplay: The ambassador underplayed his role in the peace negotiations. 1
- verb without object underplay to leave out of one's acting all subtlety and enriching detail. 1
- verb without object underplay to achieve an effect in acting with a minimum of emphasis. 1
- transitive verb underplay minimize 1
Information block about the term
Origin of underplay
First appearance:
before 1725 One of the 49% newest English words
First recorded in 1725-35; under- + play
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Underplay
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
underplay popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 65% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data most of word are more popular. This word is almost not used. It has a much more popular synonym.
underplay usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for underplay
verb underplay
- be-little — to regard or portray as less impressive or important than appearances indicate; depreciate; disparage.
- cut rate — a price, fare, or rate below the standard charge.
- deemphasize — to place less emphasis upon; reduce in importance, size, scope, etc.: The university de-emphasized intercollegiate football.
- gloss over — an explanation or translation, by means of a marginal or interlinear note, of a technical or unusual expression in a manuscript text.
- knock down — to strike a sounding blow with the fist, knuckles, or anything hard, especially on a door, window, or the like, as in seeking admittance, calling attention, or giving a signal: to knock on the door before entering.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with u
- Words starting with un
- Words starting with und
- Words starting with unde
- Words starting with under
- Words starting with underp
- Words starting with underpl
- Words starting with underpla
- Words starting with underplay