underestimate

Universal Words verb, noun verb 1 to think or guess that the amount, cost or size of sth is smaller than it really is: [VN] to underestimate the cost / difficulty / danger of the expedition * We underestimated the time it would take to get there. * The statistics seriously underestimate the number of people affected. [also Vwh-] 2 [VN] to not realize how good, strong, determined, etc. sb really is: Never underestimate your opponent. * Their ability should not be underestimated. OPPOVERESTIMATE compareUNDERRATE noun [C,U]( an estimate about the size, cost, etc. of sth that is too low: My guess of 400 proved to be a serious underestimate. OPPOVERESTIMATE