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Underachievement: meaning, definitions and examples

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underachievement

 

[ˌʌndərəˈtʃiːvmənt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

education

Underachievement refers to a situation in which a person performs less well than expected or than their potential would suggest, especially in academic or professional settings. It can be caused by various factors such as lack of motivation, poor study habits, or learning disabilities.

Synonyms

below expectations, substandard performance, underperformance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
underachievement

This term is used when someone fails to reach their full potential or perform according to their capabilities, often in educational or professional settings.

  • Despite his talent, his underachievement in school was concerning to his parents
underperformance

This term is generally used in business or academic settings to describe when outcomes are lower or worse than anticipated. It often has a negative connotation.

  • The underperformance of the team's project led to a loss of potential clients
substandard performance

This phrase is used when the quality or results of a performance are significantly below the accepted standard, usually in formal settings like work assessments or quality control.

  • The substandard performance of the machinery resulted in a massive recall of the defective units
below expectations

This phrase is often used in professional environments, performance reviews, or academic settings to indicate that results did not meet the anticipated standard.

  • The new product's sales were below expectations, causing concern among the investors

Examples of usage

  • His underachievement in school was a result of his lack of interest in the subjects.
  • The school counselor identified a pattern of underachievement among several students.
Context #2 | Noun

psychology

In psychology, underachievement can also refer to a pattern of behavior in which an individual consistently fails to reach their full potential, often due to low self-esteem or fear of failure. It is important to address the underlying causes of underachievement to help the individual reach their goals.

Synonyms

below potential, low achievement, underperformance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
underachievement

This word is used when someone performs worse than what is typically expected based on their abilities. It often implies a pattern and can be educational or professional.

  • Despite her high IQ, Lisa's underachievement in school was a surprise.
  • The underachievement of the team in the tournament led to a detailed investigation.
underperformance

Mostly used in professional or business settings to describe an individual's or organization's performance that is below the expected level. It implies there is a standard that is not being met.

  • The underperformance of the sales team this quarter caused concern among the managers.
  • If the software continues its underperformance, we may need to switch providers.
low achievement

Typically used in educational contexts and refers to consistently low performance or results. It suggests a lower level of success without necessarily considering the person's potential.

  • There are special programs aimed at helping students with low achievement.
  • Low achievement in schools often correlates with socioeconomic factors.
below potential

Used to describe situations where something or someone is not living up to what they could potentially achieve. It focuses more on the missed opportunities or capacities rather than a set expectation.

  • His recent projects have been good, but still below potential considering his talent.
  • Many students perform below potential because they lack motivation.

Examples of usage

  • The therapist worked with the client to explore the root causes of his underachievement.
  • Her underachievement was linked to a fear of taking risks.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Individuals who underachieve may have a fear of failure, leading them to avoid challenges.
  • Sometimes, underachievement is linked with low self-esteem, where a person doesn’t believe in their own abilities.
  • It can result from a lack of motivation, often seen in people who feel bored or unchallenged.

Education

  • Studies show that underachievement in school can be influenced by a student's environment, including family and peers.
  • Gifted students sometimes underachieve due to feeling different from their classmates, leading to disengagement.
  • Interventions like mentoring and personalized learning plans can help address issues of underachievement.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In some cultures, a heavy emphasis on academic performance can lead to pressure that results in underachievement.
  • The idea of 'underachievement' can vary widely across different cultures, affecting how individuals perceive their success.
  • Cultural values about success and failure greatly influence whether individuals see themselves as underachieving.

Pop Culture

  • In films and literature, characters who are portrayed as underachievers often have deeper talents or intelligence that go unrecognized.
  • Music and art often celebrate themes of overcoming underachievement, inspiring others to pursue their true potential.
  • Reality shows sometimes highlight individuals who start as underachievers but use the platform to transform their lives.

Historical Context

  • Throughout history, many notable figures struggled with underachievement before their eventual breakthroughs, revealing the complexity of human potential.
  • The term became popular in the mid-20th century as educational psychology began examining student performance in depth.
  • Historical figures have often inspired movements advocating for recognizing potential in those who may underperform in conventional settings.

Translations

Translations of the word "underachievement" in other languages:

🇵🇹 baixo desempenho

🇮🇳 अल्प उपलब्धि

🇩🇪 Leistungsrückstand

🇮🇩 kinerja rendah

🇺🇦 низька успішність

🇵🇱 niskie osiągnięcia

🇯🇵 低い成果

🇫🇷 sous-performance

🇪🇸 bajo rendimiento

🇹🇷 başarısızlık

🇰🇷 낮은 성과

🇸🇦 ضعف الأداء

🇨🇿 nízký výkon

🇸🇰 nízky výkon

🇨🇳 表现不佳

🇸🇮 nizka uspešnost

🇮🇸 lélegur árangur

🇰🇿 төмен көрсеткіш

🇬🇪 დაბალი შედეგი

🇦🇿 aşağı performans

🇲🇽 bajo rendimiento

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,604 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.