We explain what is something undervalued, the origin of the term and how it can be used. Also, examples in sentences.
What is something underrated?
When we say that something is undervalued, we mean that its true value is not being appreciated and that it is being valued below its true value. In other words, something undervalued is something or someone undervalued, to which less value is attributed than it has.
For example, an undervalued baseball player is one whose sporting work goes unfairly unnoticed, that is, who is not appreciated within the team as he really deserves, but who is thought to be a worse player than he really is.
This word derives, logically, from the verb undervalue, composed of Latin roots infra– (“below”) and I'll be worth it (“have strength, health or courage”). The latter also gives rise to the current word “value”, which can be understood as bravery or as own merit, usefulness.
The verb undervalue can be applied to any thing or person that is being appreciated or valued by third partiesand with it we can refer to any type of worth or merit. For example:
- William Faukner is one of the most famous writers. undervalued by today's readers.
- The role of the socialist party in the fall of the dictatorship has been underrated for decades.
- My contribution to the work is very underrated in that review.
- We have underrated the industrial potential of this region.
- Won't you be undervaluing the total cost of this financial investment?
Underrated and overrated
If the verb undervalue describes the action of giving something less value than it really has, its opposite, overvalue, describes the opposite action: giving something more value than it really has.
Thus, when we talk, for example, about “a film overrated by critics,” we are saying that the praise and high esteem in which it is held is actually not that big of a deal, that it is being inflated, unfairly praised.
Other examples of using this word in a sentence would be:
- Iceland's participation in the war is often overrated.
- The analysts overvalue the future role of cryptocurrencies.
- That Mesopotamian vessel was overrated at the auction.
- An athlete should never overvalue his physical capacity.
Continue with: Plausible
References
- “Undervalue” in the Language Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy.
- “Radication of the word Infravalorar” in the Online Spanish Etymological Dictionary.
- “Etymology of Overvalue” in the Online Spanish Etymological Dictionary.
- “What is 'overrated' and 'underrated'?” (video) in EF
- “Undervalue” in the Wiktionary.
