期待外れの
解説 Definition
underwhelming は「期待外れの」という意味の形容詞です。期待したほど印象的・刺激的ではなく、満足できないと感じられることを表します。
Underwhelming describes something that is less impressive, exciting, effective, or satisfying than expected. It expresses mild or clear disappointment rather than the powerful impact suggested by overwhelming.
使い方 Usage
- an underwhelming ending のように名詞を修飾するほか、The taste was underwhelming. のように感想を述べます。 Use it before a noun, as in an underwhelming ending, or after be to give an assessment, as in The taste was underwhelming.
- find ＋対象＋ underwhelming で「対象を期待外れだと感じる」と表します。 Use find + object + underwhelming to say that someone considers something less impressive or satisfying than expected.
使い分け Common distinctions
- overwhelming は強い影響や圧倒される感覚を表し、underwhelming は期待に届かない印象を表します。 Overwhelming suggests a powerful impact or a feeling of being overwhelmed; underwhelming suggests an experience that falls short of expectations.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
underwhelm に -ing が付いた形。「期待の線より under＝下に終わる」と想像すると覚えやすくなります。overwhelming「圧倒的な」と並べて、受ける印象の違いを覚えましょう。
Underwhelming is formed from underwhelm plus -ing. Imagine the actual experience landing under a line representing your expectations. Pair it with overwhelming, which suggests a powerful impact.
例文
The final scene was underwhelming after such a strong beginning.
力強い始まりだっただけに、最後の場面は期待外れでした。
Many visitors found the new exhibition underwhelming.
多くの来場者は新しい展示を期待外れだと感じました。
The meal looked impressive, but the taste was underwhelming.
その料理は見た目は立派でしたが、味は期待外れでした。
underwhelming の類義語・関連語
派生語
underwhelming の語源・成り立ち Etymology
接頭辞under-（不十分に）＋語根whelm（覆う、古英語由来）＋接尾辞-ingで構成されます。20世紀にoverwhelmへの対義語として定着し、期待ほど心をしっかりと「覆い尽くさない」状態から、物足りなさを感じさせる意味に転じました。関連語：overwhelm。
Underwhelming is formed from underwhelm and -ing, functioning here as an adjective. Underwhelm was coined in the twentieth century as a humorous opposite of overwhelm, using under- in the sense of insufficiently or below expectation. Whelm is an older verb meaning to overturn, engulf, or cover completely and is Germanic in origin. Underwhelming consequently describes something that does not affect or impress a person as strongly as anticipated.
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