Litotes

In rhetoric, litotes is a figure of speech in which a certain statement is expressed by denying its opposite. For example, rather than merely saying that a person is rather attractive (or even very attractive), one might say that he or she is "not unattractive".

Litotes is a form of understatement, always deliberate and with the intention of emphasis. However, the interpretation of litotes can depend on context, including cultural context. In speech, it may also depend on intonation and emphasis; for example, the phrase "not bad" can be said in such a way as to mean anything from "mediocre" to "excellent".

The use of litotes appeals specifically to certain cultures including the northern Europeans and is popular in English. It is a feature of Old English poetry and of the Icelandic sagas and is a means of much stoical restraint.

Examples

Litotes:                                                                            As a means of saying:
"Not bad."                                                                      "Good."
"[…] no ordinary city." Acts 21:39 (NIV)                     "[…] a very impressive city."
"That [sword] was not useless / to the warrior now." (Beowulf) "The sword was useful."
"He was not unfamiliar with the works of Dickens." "He was well acquainted with the works of Dickens."
"She is not so unkind."                                                    "She is kind."
"She was not a little cross."                                            "She was very cross."
"I am not unwell."                                                               "I am fine."
"You're not wrong."                                                            "You're right."
"I couldn't disagree less." (double litotes)                       "I agree."