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litotes

noun li·to·tes \ ˈlī-tə-ˌtēz , ˈli- , lī-ˈtō-ˌtēz \

Updated on: 5 Sep 2017

Definition of litotes

plural litotes

:understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of the contrary (as in "not a bad singer" or "not unhappy")

litotes was our Word of the Day on 05/23/2016. Hear the podcast!

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litotes Probably Pop Up In Your Everyday Speech

Even if you've never heard the word litotes, chances are you've encountered this figure of speech. If you've ever approved of a job well done by exclaiming "Not bad!" or told someone that you are "not unhappy" when you are ecstatic, you've even used it yourself. In fact, you might say that it would be "no mean feat" to avoid this common feature of our language! And litotes isn't only common; it's also simple—etymologically speaking, that is. Litotes evolved from a Greek word meaning "simple," and perhaps ultimately from another Greek word meaning "linen cloth."

Origin and Etymology of litotes

Greek litotēs, from litos simple, perhaps from lit-, lis linen cloth

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1589

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Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Learn More about litotes

See words that rhyme with litotes Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about litotes

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Editor's Note: litotes Probably Pop Up In Your Everyday Speech