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Underachieved: meaning, definitions and examples

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underachieved

 

[ ʌndΙ™rΙ™ΛˆtΚƒiːvd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

academic performance

Underachieved refers to a situation where an individual fails to perform at their expected potential or capability, especially in an academic setting. This may occur due to various factors such as lack of motivation, external pressures, or learning difficulties.

Synonyms

disappointed, failed, flunked

Examples of usage

  • He underachieved in his final exams despite his abilities.
  • Many students underachieve when they lack proper guidance.
  • She felt she underachieved in her career compared to her peers.

Etymology

The term 'underachieve' emerged in the mid-20th century, combining the prefix 'under-' implying deficiency or inadequacy with 'achieve', derived from Old French 'achiever', meaning to accomplish or complete. Initially used in educational contexts, it highlighted the gap between potential and actual performance. Over time, the word has expanded its usage to encompass various areas of life, including career and personal goals, reflecting societal concerns about not meeting expectations. The phenomenon of underachievement has been extensively studied in psychology and education, resulting in a better understanding of the factors that contribute to this disparity and ways to address it.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #42,767, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.