Underperform: meaning, definitions and examples

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underperform

 

[ ˌʌndərpərˈfɔrm ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

performance quality

To underperform means to perform less well than expected, needed, or standard. This can refer to individual performance in various contexts, such as in academics, sports, and business. It suggests that the output does not meet the criteria set for success.

Synonyms

fail, fall short, lag, slack

Examples of usage

  • The athlete underperformed at the championship.
  • Sales figures indicate that the product is underperforming.
  • He realized he had been underperforming at work.
  • The student underperformed on the final exam.

Translations

Translations of the word "underperform" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desempenhar abaixo do esperado

🇮🇳 कम प्रदर्शन करना

🇩🇪 unterdurchschnittlich abschneiden

🇮🇩 berkinerja di bawah standar

🇺🇦 показувати недостатні результати

🇵🇱 osiągać wyniki poniżej oczekiwań

🇯🇵 期待以下のパフォーマンスをする

🇫🇷 avoir des performances inférieures aux attentes

🇪🇸 desempeñar por debajo de lo esperado

🇹🇷 beklentinin altında performans göstermek

🇰🇷 기대 이하의 성과를 내다

🇸🇦 يؤدي أداءً أقل من المتوقع

🇨🇿 podávat podprůměrné výkony

🇸🇰 podávať podpriemerné výkony

🇨🇳 表现不佳

🇸🇮 imeti slabše rezultate

🇮🇸 skila undir væntingum

🇰🇿 күтілгеннен төмен нәтиже көрсету

🇬🇪 მდგარად ჩამორჩენა

🇦🇿 gözləniləndən aşağı nəticə göstərmək

🇲🇽 desempeñar por debajo de lo esperado

Etymology

The term 'underperform' is a combination of the prefix 'under-' and the verb 'perform'. The prefix 'under-' indicates a deficiency or insufficiency, while 'perform' comes from the Old French 'performer', which means to carry out or complete a task, itself derived from the Latin 'performare'. The usage of 'underperform' in English dates back to the mid-20th century, particularly in the contexts of business and personal performance. As performance metrics became more prevalent in various fields, the significance of the word grew, highlighting when individuals or entities did not meet the expected standards of success.