somewhat undersized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat undersized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is slightly smaller than expected or desired, often in a comparative context. Example: "The shirt I ordered is somewhat undersized, so I might need to exchange it for a larger size."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

His competitors are bigger (a particularly relevant point for a somewhat undersized power forward), stronger, and more athletic, and yet Thompson is pulling in more rebounds than it would have been even remotely fair to expect.

The New York Times

In fact, 6-7 makes him somewhat undersized for a forward by the standards of the NBA, in which he is the favorite to arrive later this year as the No. 1 overall draft pick, but his weight is a complete outlier.

The Washington Post

Apr. 26, 2018, 8 45 p.m. 1. CLEVELAND: QB Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) — Mayfield, a onetime Texas Tech walk-on, rounded into a somewhat undersized phenom, winning the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, Davey O'Brien Award and a slew of other honors.

Los Angeles Times

The team will be somewhat undersized, seeing how 6-foot-10 Amare Stoudemire was voted in by fans to start at center, and Gasol (7-0) probably will be the backup.

Los Angeles Times

Although our experience may be somewhat undersized, our good results support current literature output.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Making her American debut on relatively short notice as a replacement for Christine Brewer, said to be recovering from an injury, Ms. Theorin sounded somewhat unsettled in her initial appearance during Act II: her sound slightly undersized, her high notes on pitch, but acidic.

The New York Times - Arts

Wilson is undersized.

The Washington Post

We know we're undersized.

The New York Times - Sports

Some of their holds disgorge undersized tuna.

The New York Times

He's peace-loving and undersized.

The New Yorker

Weaknesses: Undersized and an inconsistent tackler.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "somewhat undersized", ensure the context provides a clear reference point for what is considered the 'standard' or expected size. This helps the reader understand the degree of deviation.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat undersized" when the size difference is significant. The phrase implies a marginal difference, so a more descriptive term like "considerably smaller" or "significantly undersized" would be more appropriate for substantial discrepancies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat undersized" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it is smaller than the expected or typical size. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing physical attributes or dimensions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "somewhat undersized" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that is slightly smaller than expected. According to Ludwig, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, with some presence in scientific writing. While the frequency of this expression is relatively rare, understanding its appropriate use—avoiding overstatement and providing a clear reference point—can enhance the precision and clarity of your writing. Related phrases like "slightly smaller than expected" or "a bit too small" can offer similar nuances depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally smaller

Focuses on the narrowness of the size difference.

slightly smaller than expected

Emphasizes the comparison to an expectation rather than a general standard.

slightly underscale

Similar, focusing on scale, often used in modeling or design contexts.

a touch undersized

More colloquial and emphasizes the slight degree of being undersized.

a bit too small

More informal and emphasizes the degree of smallness.

somewhat diminutive

Emphasizes the smallness in a more formal or literary way.

relatively petite

Uses a more positive and descriptive term, implying elegance or daintiness.

moderately compact

Focuses on the compactness of the object, suitable for technical contexts.

noticeably smaller

Highlighting that the difference in size is something easy to notice.

substantially smaller

Emphasizes the smallness in the measure of greatness.

FAQs

How can I use "somewhat undersized" in a sentence?

You can use "somewhat undersized" to describe something that is slightly smaller than what is typically expected or desired. For example, "The shirt I ordered is somewhat undersized, so I need a larger size".

What are some alternatives to saying "somewhat undersized"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly smaller than expected", "a bit too small", or "relatively petite", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "somewhat undersized" in formal writing?

Yes, "somewhat undersized" is acceptable in formal writing, but consider the audience and context. In some cases, a more precise or technical term might be preferable to ensure clarity. In general, using "marginally smaller" or "slightly underscale" may be more formal.

What does "somewhat undersized" imply about the size difference?

The term "somewhat undersized" implies that the size difference is not significant, but noticeable. It suggests a marginal deviation from the expected or standard size, indicating that the item is slightly smaller than it should be.