litotes
C1Formal, Academic, Literary
Definition
Meaning
A figure of speech and form of verbal irony in which understatement is used to emphasize a point by stating a negative to affirm a positive.
A rhetorical device employing deliberate understatement, typically using negation (e.g., 'not bad' meaning 'good'), to create nuanced emphasis, modesty, or ironic effect.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Litotes is often used for ironic understatement, politeness, or to subtly convey a strong positive by negating its opposite. It is a specific form of meiosis (understatement).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or usage. Slightly more prevalent in British academic and literary criticism due to classical rhetorical tradition.
Connotations
In both varieties, connotes sophistication, subtlety, and often a dry, understated humour.
Frequency
Low-frequency term in both dialects, primarily used in literary, linguistic, and rhetorical contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] employs/uses litotes by saying [statement].It was [positive quality], to use the litotes, 'not [negative antonym]'.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not bad (for 'good')”
- “No small feat (for 'a great achievement')”
- “Not unfamiliar with (for 'knowledgeable about')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in formal reports: 'The quarterly results were not discouraging.'
Academic
Common in literary analysis, linguistics, and rhetoric papers discussing stylistic devices.
Everyday
Uncommon as a term, but the device is used unconsciously: 'That's not the worst idea.'
Technical
Standard term in rhetoric, stylistics, and literary criticism.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- Her litotic remark was typical of his dry humour.
- The essay analysed the litotic style of the poem.
American English
- His litotic praise confused some listeners.
- The author's litotic approach softened the critique.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- "Not bad," he said, which was his way of saying it was very good.
- She said the exam was 'not easy', which meant it was very difficult.
- The diplomat, using litotes, described the tense situation as 'not ideal'.
- The critic's litotic assessment—'not without merit'—concealed a deeply ambivalent view of the novel's central thesis.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'LIE-TO-TEASE' – you playfully lie by saying less to tease out a bigger meaning.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNDERSTATEMENT IS A NEGATIVE PATH TO A POSITIVE DESTINATION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with simple negation or double negative.
- No direct single-word equivalent; often explained as 'преуменьшение через отрицание'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with euphemism (which softens) or sarcasm (which often mocks).
- Using it to describe any understatement without the element of negation (e.g., 'It's a bit warm' is understatement but not litotes).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is an example of litotes?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A double negative (e.g., 'I don't know nothing') is often grammatically non-standard and reinforces negation. Litotes uses a single, grammatically standard negation to affirm a positive ('not bad' = good).
Yes, frequently. Saying 'Well, that wasn't a disaster' after a minor mishap uses litotes sarcastically to highlight the opposite of the literal meaning.
It is singular. Its plural form is also 'litotes', though the context usually makes number clear. The word originates from a Greek singular noun.
It creates nuance, modesty, irony, or diplomatic softening. It can be more persuasive or stylistically sophisticated than a blunt positive statement.
Collections
Part of a collection
Rhetoric and Argumentation
C2 · 49 words · Advanced tools of persuasion and argumentation.