Underrated
/ˌʌndərˈreɪtɪd/
Definitions
Not given enough recognition or appreciation; valued less than it deserves.
/ˌʌndərˈreɪtɪd/
Not recognized or appreciated at its true value.
The local bakery is underrated; their pastries are delicious.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a super cool toy that nobody seems to notice how awesome it is. That toy is underrated! Like, maybe your amazing drawing skills that your friends don't realize are amazing. Or the band you like that hardly anyone knows about.
👶 For kids: When something is underrated, it means people don't think it's as good as it really is.
More Examples
He's an underrated hero; he always puts others first.
This restaurant is often underrated, but it offers amazing food and service.
How It's Used
"The film was underrated by critics but gained a cult following."
"He's an underrated player; his contributions often go unnoticed."
From "under" (below) + "rate" (to assign a value to) + "-ed" (past participle suffix). It suggests a valuation that is lower than what something deserves.
The term has been used since the early 20th century, particularly in art and literary criticism to denote work that was not widely recognized or valued.
Memory tip
Think of a treasure hidden underground, its value underestimated.