How Do You Spell UNDERWHELM?

Pronunciation: [ˌʌndəwˈɛlm] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "underwhelm" follows the typical English pattern of prefix "under-" and verb stem "-whelm". The IPA phonetic transcription for "underwhelm" is /ˌʌndəˈwɛlm/. The stress is on the second syllable, which is commonly stressed in words with the -whelm suffix, such as "overwhelm". The pronunciation of "whelm" is /wɛlm/ and the prefix "under-" is pronounced as /ˌʌndər/. Combined, the word means to fail to impress or disappoint. It is a relatively uncommon term and often used in contrast to its more commonly used antonym, "overwhelm".

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Conjugate verb
Basic Check Advanced Check

UNDERWHELM Meaning and Definition

  1. Underwhelm is a verb that describes the act of failing to impress or meet expectations, generally resulting in a lack of enthusiasm or excitement. It refers to a situation where something, such as an event, performance, or experience, fails to generate the anticipated level of interest or excitement.

    When someone or something underwhelms, there is typically a sense of disappointment or unfulfillment due to low or insufficient impact. It often occurs when the actual outcome or quality falls below the perceived or expected level. For example, if a highly anticipated movie receives lackluster reviews and fails to captivate the audience, it can be said that it underwhelmed.

    This term can also be used to describe a person's emotional response. If an individual experiences unremarkable or uninspiring feelings in a situation that was supposed to be thrilling or exciting, it can be said that they are underwhelmed. Additionally, it can imply a feeling of being let down or not adequately stimulated.

    Underwhelm is the opposite of overwhelming, where an abundance or intensity of something surpasses expectations. Instead, it suggests a sense of dissatisfaction or shortcomings. It is often used when discussing experiences, products, performances, or events, highlighting their failure to meet the anticipated level of interest or excellence.

Common Misspellings for UNDERWHELM

Etymology of UNDERWHELM

The word underwhelm is derived from the prefix under- and the verb whelm. The verb whelm originated from Middle English whelmen, which meant to turn over, engulf. It developed from the Old English word hwelfan or whelven, which meant to bend, cover. Over time, the meaning of wheml shifted to to submerge, overwhelm as it became more commonly used. Eventually, the prefix under- was added to create the opposite meaning, giving rise to the term underwhelm.

Conjugate verb Underwhelm

CONDITIONAL

I would underwhelm
you would underwhelm
he/she/it would underwhelm
we would underwhelm
they would underwhelm

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be underwhelming
you would be underwhelming
he/she/it would be underwhelming
we would be underwhelming
they would be underwhelming

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have underwhelm
you would have underwhelm
he/she/it would have underwhelm
we would have underwhelm
they would have underwhelm

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been underwhelming
you would have been underwhelming
he/she/it would have been underwhelming
we would have been underwhelming
they would have been underwhelming

FUTURE

I will underwhelm
you will underwhelm
he/she/it will underwhelm
we will underwhelm
they will underwhelm

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be underwhelming
you will be underwhelming
he/she/it will be underwhelming
we will be underwhelming
they will be underwhelming

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have underwhelmed
you will have underwhelmed
he/she/it will have underwhelmed
we will have underwhelmed
they will have underwhelmed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been underwhelming
you will have been underwhelming
he/she/it will have been underwhelming
we will have been underwhelming
they will have been underwhelming

IMPERATIVE

you underwhelm
we let´s underwhelm

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to underwhelm

PAST

I underwhelmed
you underwhelmed
he/she/it underwhelmed
we underwhelmed
they underwhelmed

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was underwhelming
you were underwhelming
he/she/it was underwhelming
we were underwhelming
they were underwhelming

PAST PARTICIPLE

underwhelmed

PAST PERFECT

I had underwhelmed
you had underwhelmed
he/she/it had underwhelmed
we had underwhelmed
they had underwhelmed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been underwhelming
you had been underwhelming
he/she/it had been underwhelming
we had been underwhelming
they had been underwhelming

PRESENT

I underwhelm
you underwhelm
he/she/it underwhelms
we underwhelm
they underwhelm

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am underwhelming
you are underwhelming
he/she/it is underwhelming
we are underwhelming
they are underwhelming

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

underwhelming

PRESENT PERFECT

I have underwhelmed
you have underwhelmed
he/she/it has underwhelmed
we have underwhelmed
they have underwhelmed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been underwhelming
you have been underwhelming
he/she/it has been underwhelming
we have been underwhelming
they have been underwhelming
I would have underwhelmed
we would have underwhelmed
you would have underwhelmed
he/she/it would have underwhelmed
they would have underwhelmed