---
title: understatement — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «understatement» in the school dictionary: An understatement is a way of saying something that makes it sound smaller, weaker or less important than it really is. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

<!-- md -->
[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/understatement/)

<!-- crumbs -->
[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/) / [school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/) / [U](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/) / understatement

# understatement

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** understatement, way, that, habit, hurricane, Saying · **What happens:** be, say, make, sound, speak, starve · **To what, where:** way, something, understatement, habit, British people, 10 win · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«understatement» in the school dictionary: its 2 meanings for a pupil and its 6 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [understatement in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/understatement.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
An understatement is a way of saying something that makes it sound smaller, weaker or less important than it really is.

<!-- fold The tree, 21 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:understatement:m1:1
# text = An understatement is a way of saying something that makes it sound smaller, weaker or less important than it really is.
1	An	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	understatement	understatement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	of	of	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
7	saying	say	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	5	acl	_	_
8	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	7	obj	_	_
9	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	10	nsubj	_	_
10	makes	make	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	parataxis	_	_
11	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	10	obj	_	_
12	sound	sound	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	10	xcomp	_	_
13	smaller	small	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	12	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	15	punct	_	_
15	weaker	weak	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	10	parataxis	_	_
16	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	18	cc	_	_
17	less	less	ADV	RBR	Degree=Cmp	18	advmod	_	_
18	important	important	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	15	conj	_	_
19	than	than	SCONJ	IN	_	22	mark	_	_
20	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	22	nsubj	_	_
21	really	really	ADV	RB	_	22	advmod	_	_
22	is	be	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	18	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
23	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a understatement | a way |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **say** *speech: assert* | gerund | a way *not said here* | something |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V NP.topic»: agent=Agent something=Topic |
| 3 | **make** | present | that | understatement |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 4 | **sound** | infinitive | understatement *not said here* |  |  |  |  | small *property* | vn stimulus\_subject-30.4 «NP V ADJ»: agent=Stimulus |
| 5 | **be** | present | understatement |  |  |  |  |  | vn exist-47.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Understatement is the habit or style of speaking this way, often for humour or politeness.

<!-- fold The tree, 15 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:understatement:m2:1
# text = Understatement is the habit or style of speaking this way, often for humour or politeness.
1	Understatement	understatement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	habit	habit	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	style	style	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	conj	_	_
7	of	of	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
8	speaking	speak	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	4	acl	_	_
9	this	this	DET	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	10	det	_	_
10	way	way	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
12	often	often	ADV	RB	_	14	advmod	_	_
13	for	for	ADP	IN	_	14	case	_	_
14	humour	humour	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl	_	_
15	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	16	cc	_	_
16	politeness	politeness	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Understatement | the habit or style |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **speak** *speech: other* | gerund | the habit or style *not said here* | this way |  |  |  | for humour or politeness | tree rules |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Saying the hurricane was «a bit windy» is an understatement.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:understatement:x1:1
# text = Saying the hurricane was «a bit windy» is an understatement.
1	Saying	say	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	12	csubj	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	hurricane	hurricane	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
4	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	8	cop	_	_
5	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	8	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	bit	bit	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl:unmarked	_	_
8	windy	windy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	1	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	8	punct	_	_
10	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	12	cop	_	_
11	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	understatement	understatement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	12	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is** *in a quote* | past | the hurricane |  |  |  |  | a bit *obl:unmarked*; windy *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **is a** | present | Saying | a understatement |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
«It's an understatement to say I was hungry – I was starving!»

<!-- fold The tree, 12 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:understatement:x2:1
# text = «It's an understatement to say I was hungry – I was starving!»
1	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	It	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	5	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	's	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	understatement	understatement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	say	say	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	acl	_	_
8	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	10	nsubj	_	_
9	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	10	cop	_	_
10	hungry	hungry	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	ccomp	_	_
11	–	-	PUNCT	,	_	14	punct	_	_
12	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	14	nsubj	_	_
13	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	14	aux	_	_
14	starving	starve	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	10	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	!	!	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
16	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** *in a quote* | present | It | a understatement |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **say** *speech: express* *in a quote* | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |
| 3 | **is** *in a quote* | past | I |  |  |  |  | hungry *property* | tree rules |
| 4 | **starve** *in a quote* | past · progressive | I |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
British people are known for understatement.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:understatement:x3:1
# text = British people are known for understatement.
1	British	British	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	4	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux:pass	_	_
4	known	know	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
5	for	for	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	understatement	understatement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **know** | present · passive |  | British people |  |  |  | for understatement | vn comprehend-87.2-1-1-1 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: subject=Stimulus |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The coach called our 10–0 win «not bad», which was an understatement.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:understatement:x4:1
# text = The coach called our 10–0 win «not bad», which was an understatement.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	coach	coach	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	called	call	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	acl	_	_
4	our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	8	nmod:poss	_	_
5	10	10	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	8	nummod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	–	–	SYM	SYM	ExtPos=ADP	7	case	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	0	0	NUM	CD	NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card	5	nmod	_	_
8	win	win	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	xcomp	_	_
9	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	11	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	11	advmod	_	_
11	bad	bad	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	8	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	11	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	17	punct	_	_
14	which	which	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	17	nsubj	_	_
15	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	17	cop	_	_
16	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	17	det	_	_
17	understatement	understatement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
18	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **call** | participle | the coach *not said here* | our 10 win and a understatement |  |  |  |  | vn initiate\_communication-37.4.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is a** | past | our 10 win and a understatement | a understatement |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **win** |  | our |  |  |  |  |  | nom win «event intransitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Find the understatement in the poem.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:understatement:x5:1
# text = Find the understatement in the poem.
1	Find	find	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	understatement	understatement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	in	in	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	poem	poem	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **find** | imperative | you *not said here* | the understatement |  | the poem |  |  | vn discover-84 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent understatement=Topic |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To say the test was hard is an understatement.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:understatement:x6:1
# text = To say the test was hard is an understatement.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	say	say	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	test	test	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
5	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
6	hard	hard	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
7	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
8	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	understatement	understatement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **say** *speech: assert* | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **is** | past | the test |  |  |  |  | hard *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **is a** | present |  | a hard understatement |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

<!-- pn -->
- ← previous: [understate](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/understate/)
- next →: [understood](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/understood/)
- ↑ back to [U in school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/)