Noun litotes has 1 sense

1. litotes, meiosis - understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary); "saying `I was not a little upset' when you mean `I was very upset' is an example of litotes"
   --₁ is a kind of rhetorical device; understatement
   

Litotes

Part of Speech: Noun

Sense: A figure of speech that uses understatement to emphasize a point or create an ironic effect by negating its contrary. It is often used to convey an assertion through the denial of its opposite.

Usage:

• She is not a bad singer.
• The weather is not too bad today.
• I am not unfamiliar with this subject.

Sample Sentences:

1. His test score was not too shabby, as he obtained the highest mark in the class.
2. The new car is not too bad; it only guzzles fuel like crazy.
3. The painting is not unimpressive; it captures the essence of the artist's emotions.

Related Products:

• Books on Figurative Language
• English Grammar Resources