What is an understatement?

An understatement is a figure of speech in which a situation or event is presented as being less important or severe than it actually is. This can create a sense of irony or humor and can be used to convey an emotion or sentiment without overstating it. In the context of the provided answer, choosing an option that indicates a statement that expresses less than what is meant accurately reflects the essence of understatement. For example, saying "It's just a scratch" when referring to a significant injury is an understatement, as it minimizes the severity of the situation.

By saying less than what is true or significant, the speaker may invite the listener to recognize the contrast between reality and the speaker's expression, enhancing the impact of the message conveyed. This subtlety is what differentiates understatement from exaggeration and other forms of expression.