understated

Thân thiện

The room's understated elegance is achieved with neutral colors and simple furniture.

Definition

Adjective: 1. Presented or expressed in a subtle, restrained, and effective way: Describing something that is deliberately not made obvious, loud, or elaborate, often resulting in a sophisticated or elegant impression. 2. Characterized by modesty and refinement rather than excess or showiness: Used to describe a style, manner, or quality that avoids being flashy or ostentatious.

Usage and Examples

• Describing style or design:
  • She preferred understated jewelry, like a simple pearl necklace.
  • The hotel's decor was elegant and understated.
• Describing behavior or communication:
  • His response was understated but conveyed a deep understanding of the problem.
  • She has an understated sense of humor that is very witty.

Advanced Usage

• "To be the very definition/model of understated elegance": Used to emphasize that something is a perfect example of refined, subtle style.
  • Her little black dress was the very definition of understated elegance.
• As an adverb: "understatedly" (less common): In a subtle or restrained manner.
  • He understatedly mentioned his role in the project's success.

Variants and Related Words

• Understate (verb): To describe or represent something as being smaller, less important, or less significant than it really is.
  • He tends to understate his achievements.
• Understatement (noun): A statement that describes something in a way that makes it seem less important, serious, or impressive than it really is.
  • Saying the concert was "fairly good" is an understatement; it was incredible.

Synonyms

• Subtle
• Restrained
• Unostentatious
• Low-key
• Muted
• Discreet

Antonyms

• Ostentatious
• Flashy
• Showy
• Exaggerated
• Loud (in style/color)

Học thuật

Adjective

1. exhibiting restrained good taste
   • the room is pleasant and understated

Từ đồng nghĩa

• unostentatious
• unpretentious