underplay

UK: /ˌʌndə^rˈpleɪ/

US: /ˌʌndɚˈpleɪ, ˈʌndɚˌpleɪ/

US: (un′dər plā′, un′dər plā′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

un•der•play /ˌʌndɚˈpleɪ, ˈʌndɚˌpleɪ/   v. [~ + object]

1. Show Business to play (a part or scene) in a restrained way.
2. to understate;
   downplay:
   underplayed her vital part in their success.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

un•der•play  (un′dər plā′, un′dər plā′), v.t. 

1. Show Business to act (a part) sketchily.
2. Show Business to act subtly and restrainedly.
3. to understate or de-emphasize;
   downplay:
   The ambassador underplayed his role in the peace negotiations.

v.i. 

4. Show Business to leave out of one's acting all subtlety and enriching detail.
5. Show Business to achieve an effect in acting with a minimum of emphasis.

• under- + play 1725–35

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

underplay / ˌʌndəˈpleɪ/ verb

1. to play (a role) with restraint or subtlety
2. to achieve (an effect) by deliberate lack of emphasis
3. (intransitive) to lead or follow suit with a lower card when holding a higher one