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# underperform

verb (underperform, underperforms, underperformed, underperforming)

«underperform» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. To do less well than expected or than you are able to.
2. (formal, business) Of a company or money saved: to earn less than others or than planned.

### In the lessons

Used in sport, school reports, business and exams: «The team underperformed in the final.» In the formal exam voice it means the result was below the target or average. In maths problems, if a shop underperforms, its sales are below the expected number.

### Examples

- Our team underperformed and lost three games in a row.
- The pupil underperformed in the test because she was ill.
- The new film underperformed at the box office.
- If you skip sleep, you may underperform the next day.
- The shop underperformed: it sold 40 cakes instead of 60.
- Investors were unhappy that the fund underperformed.

### Note

Regular verb: underperformed. No object usually: «they underperformed». Formal-ish, common in reports and news. Opposite: outperform, do well. In numbers: actual result \< expected result.