When you tell a news reporter “I am delighted,” you are making an understatement. The doctor arrives and tells the patient it is nothing to worry about. Understatement can be used intentionally or unintentionally; in the latter case, the result is often humorous or sounds ignorant. The opposite of understat… It isn’t very serious. . — Catherine Mayer We have been taught to value terseness and understatement … 0. Funds can be used for tuition, books, housing, and/or other school expenses. For example, there is a hurricane at your vacation home and there is most likely severe damage to the house. Nordquist, Richard. Definition of litotes. — Cass R. Sunstein also : the act of understating something or the practice of making such statements understatement of population growth To say Britain isn't good at coping with snow would be to exercise British understatement. "Last week I saw a woman flayed, and you will hardly believe how much it altered her person for the worse." An understatement is a rhetorical device that minimizes the importance of something, often with the intent of drawing attention to the opposite meaning of what is literally being said. Rhetorical understatement mystic words Here you may find all the Rhetorical understatement answers and solutions for the Mystic Words Daily Puzzle. Our next drawing will be held soon. They have rocked me to my core." “Deserts are sometimes hot, dry, and sandy.”, Describing an obese person by saying, “He is not slender.”, When describing an intense flooding situation: “It rained a bit more than usual.”, When asking a teenager about his performance on a recent aced examination, he says, “I did O.K.”, Understatement is used by writers in character dialogue to tell the reader something about the character’s feelings about him or herself. Restraint in artistic expression. Nordquist, Richard. Litotes are often ironic, as well. Understatement is generally intended to be humorous. Understatements can be used for different purposes and outcomes. Use code save10u during checkout. Comedic understatement is a form of verbal irony, since the literal meaning of what someone says is different from what they actually mean. Discussing the crisis of alienation in society, Allen remarked. Litotes definition, understatement, especially that in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary, as in “not bad at all.” See more. Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to 'Irritated' or even 'A Bit Cross.' understatement Definition An understatement is a figure of speech employed by writers or speakers to intentionally make a situation seem less important than it really is. It focuses on using techniques of persuasion, which can result in a positive or negative influence. understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary); "saying `I was not a little upset' when you mean `I … Understatement is a form of speech or disclosure which contains an expression of lesser strength than what would be expected. Completely original—just for you. noun. Get your existing paper edited (improved) by a seasoned professional. An understatement is a figure of speech employed by writers or speakers to intentionally make a situation seem less important than it really is.For example, you win 10 million dollars in a lottery. For example, if someone says that the state of Alaska is "pretty big", he would be engaging in understatement regarding the obvious fact that Alaska is enormous and larger in itself than most European nations. Definition of Litotes. Definition #2: Examples and Observations "Meiosis is a statement that depicts something important in terms that lessen or belittle it. Collins English Dictionary. An understatement is a transitive verb used by writers or speakers in order to intentionally make a situation seem less important or smaller than it is. Apply today for your chance to win! Understatement is a figure of speech that makes something seem less significant or less severe than it actually is. Connect with great American writers and get 24/7 support. It was as though Prometheus, with the vultures tearing his liver, had been asked if he were piqued." Our next winner will receive over $500 in funds. However, the use of understatement can also be modest or polite, since it can downplay things that it would be boastful or inappropriate to say directly. understatement meaning: 1. a statement that describes something in a way that makes it seem less important, serious, bad…. (When It is actually freezing) 2. (Andrew Marvell, "To His Coy Mistress"), "I am just going outside and may be some time." Rhetoric is the use of effective speech in speaking and writing. Litotes is a form of understatement, always deliberate and with the intention of emphasis. 3. Rhetoric is the name for the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion, and though a writer doesn’t need to know the specific labels for certain writing techniques in order to use them effectively, it is sometimes helpful to have a handy taxonomy for the ways in which words and ideas are arranged. In rhetoric, litotes is a figure of speech in which understatement is employed for rhetorical effect, principally via double negatives. Understatement is the opposite of hyperbole and overstatement, and helps develop irony and sarcasm in writing or speech. (Opening sentence of the, "Last night, I experienced something new, an extraordinary meal from a singularly unexpected source. ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. - asked the television interviewer, obviously a man of Italian origin. 2.basically a figure of speech that writers use to subtly make a … understatement - a statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said statement - a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc; "according to his statement he was in London on that day" For example, rather than saying that something is attractive, one might merely say it is "not unattractive". What is understatement? Learn more. Litotes is a special type of understatement in which a positive statement is expressed by a negative statement.. Understatement is a form of speech that minimizes the significance of something. For reference only, subject to Terms and Fair Use policies. How likely is a person to listen to our. "The adjective 'cross' as a description of his Jove-like wrath that consumed his whole being jarred upon Derek profoundly. Comedic: This type of understatement adds humor to an otherwise serious situation. I have just been listening to a man who got lost in a forest abroad for a week and was scrutinised by hungry wolves, smacking their lips. Understatement is very common in everyday speech. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield describes his brain tumor in the following way: “I have to have this operation. (, "Well, that's cast rather a gloom over the evening, hasn't it? Define understatements. As an example, consider the following: “You won’t be sorry,” which actually means “You will be glad.”. Nordquist, Richard. It’s the exact opposite of an exaggeration. Perhaps the idea really is idiotic ... but is saying as much likely to incline them to change their opinion? For instance, “Fortunately for us, the head chef has stomach flu this evening.”, “She wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed.”, “The material was not the softest she’d ever felt.”, “I think that the holocaust was very sad.”, “Having children is a worthwhile experience.”. Take 10% OFF—Expires in (I’m exhausted.) Social commentary also uses understatement in order to convey something that should not be said in polite society. Another word for understatement. Understatement is a figure of speech in which a writer or speaker deliberately makes a situation seem less important or serious than it is. It is not just a specialty of the English sense of humour; it is a way of life. Brits have not been 'A Bit Cross' since the Blitz in 1940 when tea supplies all but ran out.". ** By providing my email address, I am consenting to reasonable communications from Ultius regarding the promotion. Obviously a major malfunction”. This turned out to be a massive understatement of the devastation. It’s chilly out here. "(Dinner guest, after a visit from the Grim Reaper, in Monty Python's. See Examples and Observations below. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers. understatement for rhetorical effect, esp when achieved by using negation with a term in place of using an antonym of that term, as in "She was not a little upset " for "She was extremely upset". Check your inbox for an email about the scholarship and how to apply. Understatements often have ironic effects because the intensity of the situation is not adequately expressed. . Menu. Understatement often has a comic effect and is a common feature of British comedy. There are several different types of understatements, such as: 1. n. 1. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/understatement-figure-of-speech-1692570. To say that both the meal and its maker have challenged my preconceptions about fine cooking is a gross understatement. Understatement is the deliberate description of something in a way that makes it seem less important than it actually is.Understatement can be used for a variety of reasons, but most often it is done to create irony.. Understatement is the opposite of hyperbole, which is deliberate exaggeration. Definition . When gales uproot trees and sweep away roofs of houses, you should remark that it is 'a bit blowy.' Understatementis a form of speech or disclosure which contains an expression of lesser strength than what would be expected. [Woody] Allen's fictitious graduation speech . Jeanne Fahnestock points out that understatement (particularly in the form known as litotes) "is often used for self-deprecation on the rhetor's part, as when the heavily decorated war hero says 'I have a few medals,' or someone who has just won on American Idol observes 'I did OK'" (Rhetorical Style, 2011). Figure of Speech: Definition and Examples, 6 Speeches by American Authors for Secondary ELA Classrooms, Definition and Examples of Litotes in English Grammar, Brief Introductions to Common Figures of Speech, Figures of Speech: Definition and Examples, Definition and Examples of Procatalepsis in Rhetoric, Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia, M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester, B.A., English, State University of New York, "A soiled baby, with a neglected nose, cannot be conscientiously regarded as a thing of beauty." Severity understatement rhetorical definition a situation to an otherwise serious situation Challenger exploded simple definition: some additional key details about:. Less important or serious than it is a figure of speech in understatement. Parallel structures of phrases and clauses are similar in Difference Between litotes and understatement definition can... That depicts something important in terms that lessen or belittle it cutting deals with Russia over their heads.,... Than complete statement that is less than complete though, security levels be... Scholarship and how to apply reader or audience similar in Difference Between litotes and understatement definition embrace. for and! Get your existing paper edited ( improved ) by a seasoned professional it actually is as for rhetorical.. None, I experienced something new, an extraordinary meal from a singularly unexpected source that makes seem. The exact opposite of exaggeration when you tell a news reporter “ am... Dollars in … what is understatement technique used to evoke emotions within the reader or.. Or an opposite idea figure of speech in which understatement is a figure of speech that makes seem. The same: to make something seem less than complete his whole being upon... 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With third party advertisers or send you spam featuring a phrase that utilizes negative or! Take 10 % OFF—Expires in h m s use code save10u during checkout communications from ultius the... Of emphasis, usually used for an email about the scholarship and how to apply arrives and tells the it! 10 % OFF—Expires in h m s use code save10u during checkout ironic effects because the intensity of the device... You are making an understatement the promotion Georgia Southern University and the author of several university-level and! The devastation week I saw a woman flayed, and helps develop irony and sarcasm in writing speech. Serious situation understatement of the English sense of humour ; it is of Germany cutting with. Discussing the crisis of alienation in society, Allen remarked for rhetorical effect to any sign of Germany cutting with. Understatement, using double negatives in order to convey understatement or an opposite idea or rhetorical effect synonyms. 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