Decrease
/dɪˈkriːs/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo make or become smaller or fewer.
/dɪˈkriːs/
To become smaller or less.
The amount of rainfall decreased this year.
💡 Simply: Imagine your favorite snack is getting smaller and smaller. That's what it means to decrease. Like, 'The amount of ice cream in the carton decreased as I ate it!'
👶 For kids: To get smaller.
More Examples
The doctor advised him to decrease his sugar intake.
As the supply dwindled, the value of the object increased, not decreased.
How It's Used
"The company's profits decreased significantly in the third quarter."
"The temperature decreased as the altitude increased."
The act or process of becoming smaller or less.
/ˈdiːkriːs/
The process of becoming smaller or less.
The company reported a decrease in sales.
💡 Simply: When something decreases, it's becoming less. So the decrease is the actual 'becoming less' part. Think of the amount of money in your piggy bank; the decrease is when you spend some!
👶 For kids: When something gets less.
More Examples
The decrease in population was due to emigration.
We observed a decrease in the patient's fever after the medication.
How It's Used
"There was a decrease in consumer spending."
"The government announced a decrease in taxes."
From Middle English *decrecen*, from Old French *decreistre* (French *décroître*), from Latin *dēcrēscere* (“to decrease”), from *dē* (“down, away”) + *crēscere* (“to grow”).
Historically, "decrease" has been used both as a verb and noun since the 14th century, reflecting its enduring significance in various contexts.
Memory tip
Think of 'de' as 'down' and 'crease' as 'to grow'. Decrease is to grow down or lessen.