# litotes

> English word · Noun · IPA /laɪˈtəʊ.tiːz/

## Definitions
1. A figure of speech whereby something is stated by denying its opposite.
2. A figure of speech whereby something is stated by denying its opposite.

## Etymology
Learned borrowing from Late Latin lītotēs, from Ancient Greek λιτότης (litótēs, literally “plainness”), from λιτός (litós, “simple”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/litotes