Meaning of decrease in English

1. Pronunciation

   /dəˈkris/

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1. Verb

   decrease

   Etymology

   late Middle English: from Old French decreis (noun), decreistre (verb), based on Latin decrescere, from de-‘down’ + crescere‘grow’

   Definitions

   1. decrease in size, extent, or range

   Examples

   • « The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester »
   • « The cabin pressure fell dramatically »
   • « her weight fall to under a hundred pounds »
   • « his voice fell to a whisper »

   Antonyms

   • increase
2. 2. make smaller

   Examples

   • « He decreased his staff »

   Antonyms

   • increase

3. Noun

   decrease

   Definitions

   1. a change downward

   Examples

   • « there was a decrease in his temperature as the fever subsided »
   • « there was a sharp drop-off in sales »

   Antonyms

   • increase
4. 2. a process of becoming smaller or shorter

   Antonyms

   • increase
   • increment
   • growth
   • increase
   • increment
   • growth
5. 3. the amount by which something decreases

   Antonyms

   • increase
   • increment
6. 4. the act of decreasing or reducing something

   Antonyms

   • increase
   • step-up