Standard Lemma guide

underachieve

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˌʌndə(ɹ)əˈt͡ʃiːv/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To achieve less than expected; to fail to fulfil one's potential.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

perform less well or with less success than expected

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • John consistently underachieves, although he is very able
  • My stocks underperformed last year

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: underperform

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: do, perform

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h1én Proto-Indo-European *h1entér Proto-Indo-European *(H)n̥dhí Proto-Indo-European *-ér Proto-Indo-European *(H)n̥dhér Proto-Germanic *under Proto-West Germanic *undar Old English under- Middle English under- English under- English achieve English underachieve From under- + achieve.