Understatement

Definition

Understatement is a figure of speech where the speaker intentionally downplays the significance or exaggerates less than what is actually true, often for comedic effect or to create emphasis.

Related terms

Hyperbole: Hyperbole is the opposite of understatement, where the speaker exaggerates for emphasis or dramatic effect.

Irony: Irony involves expressing something that means the opposite of its literal meaning, often used to convey humor or sarcasm.

Litotes: Litotes is a form of understatement that uses double negatives or negation to express an idea positively. For example, saying "She's not unkind" instead of "She's kind."