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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

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