undervalue

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "undervalue" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically means to underestimate the importance or value of someone or something. For example: "Many people undervalue the importance of getting adequate sleep."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: Why do public services undervalue talented volunteers?

The Guardian

My colleague notes the type of distortion created by the fact that residents tend to experience neighbourhoods as a set of aesthetic exteriors, and thus undervalue all of the things that are or could be going on inside the buildings one might put on a given property.

The Economist

So they overvalue the former and undervalue the latter.

The Economist

Outside France each of the three is wrestling with its own portfolio of mistakes and opportunities: BNP Paribas and Crédit Agricole mainly in Italy, Société Générale in eastern Europe and Russia.The banks' shares have risen recently but investors still undervalue them, says Guillaume Tiberghien of Exane BNP Paribas, the bank's capital-markets arm.

The Economist

David Crane, NRG's boss, says that Exelon continues to undervalue NRG, noting his firm's recent purchase of Reliant, a Texan power retailer.

The Economist

Michael Rockinger, a professor of finance at HEC Lausanne in Switzerland, argues that business schools undervalue the teaching of risk management  RISK is essential in business.

The Economist

And those are just the economic costs, before violence against women and access to health care are counted.But rich countries undervalue women as well.

The Economist

Consumers also tend to undervalue a reduction in their exposure to energy-price increases.

The Economist

In New Orleans in November they overwhelmingly approved the abolition of the ancient property-tax system, in which seven neighbourhood assessors would routinely undervalue the properties of their friends.

The Economist

They inhibit cultural diversity (true again, but, unfortunately, most British people seem grossly to undervalue cultural diversity).

The Economist

They tend to undervalue signs that a man is interested in a committed relationship.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undervalue" to highlight the societal consequences when essential roles or contributions are not sufficiently recognized or rewarded.

Common error

While both words involve a lower assessment, "undervalue" refers specifically to worth or price, while "underestimate" applies more broadly to size, quantity, or ability. Avoid using "undervalue" when "underestimate" is more appropriate for non-financial contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "undervalue" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being undervalued. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, consistently showing it acting upon a specific noun or concept.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undervalue" is a versatile verb used to express the act of assigning too low a worth or importance to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. Remember to use "undervalue" when specifically referring to worth or price, and not to confuse it with "underestimate", which has broader applications. Common errors include misinterpreting its specific application to worth or price. To enrich your vocabulary, alternatives such as "underestimate the importance of" or "downplay the significance of" can be used depending on the intended nuance. Be sure to not "undervalue" the lessons learned.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underestimate the importance of

Focuses on importance rather than general value.

downplay the significance of

Emphasizes minimizing the perceived importance.

misjudge the merit of

Highlights an incorrect assessment of positive qualities.

disregard the worth of

Indicates a lack of attention or consideration for value.

underestimate the cost of

Specifically addresses underestimation of expense or sacrifice.

devalue the contribution of

Specifically refers to diminishing the recognized input.

fail to appreciate

Indicates a lack of understanding or gratitude for something's value.

make light of

Suggests treating something serious as unimportant.

belittle the effects of

Focuses on minimizing the impact or consequences.

think little of

Expresses a low opinion or estimation.

FAQs

How do you use "undervalue" in a sentence?

You can use "undervalue" to describe the act of assigning too low a value to something, like in the sentence: "Investors often "undervalue small cap stocks" because they are less known."

What's the difference between "undervalue" and "underestimate"?

"Undervalue" means to assign too low a value or importance to something, while "underestimate" means to misjudge the size, extent, or quantity of something. For instance, "Experts "underestimate the impact of climate change"" while "The market may "undervalue the company's assets"".

What can I say instead of "undervalue"?

You can use alternatives like "underestimate the importance of", "downplay the significance of", or "fail to appreciate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "don't undervalue yourself"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It means to not underestimate your own worth, skills, or abilities. It's often used as a piece of advice to encourage self-confidence and assertiveness.