Decreases
dɪˈkriːsɪz
Definitions
2 meaningsTo become smaller or less in size, amount, or intensity; to diminish.
dɪˈkriːs
To become smaller or fewer; diminish.
The price of gas usually decreases during the off-season.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're eating ice cream. As you eat it, the amount you have decreases, right? That's what this word means – to get less.
👶 For kids: When something gets smaller or fewer, it decreases.
More Examples
As the temperature drops, the intensity of the sunlight decreases.
The company's profits decreased last quarter.
How It's Used
"The government aims to decrease inflation."
"Exercise can help decrease the risk of heart disease."
"The number of students decreased this year."
The process of becoming smaller or less; a lessening or reduction.
ˈdɪkriːs
A reduction in size or amount.
There was a noticeable decrease in attendance at the event.
💡 Simply: Think of it as a drop in the bucket. It is something becoming less. A decrease is when something gets smaller, like when you lose weight, that’s a decrease in your body mass.
👶 For kids: When something becomes less than it was before. Like when you have less candy than you started with.
More Examples
The company saw a significant decrease in sales this quarter.
The doctor observed a decrease in the patient's blood pressure.
How It's Used
"A decrease in interest rates can stimulate the economy."
"The decrease of a number in the function affects the value of the output."
"The police reported a decrease in crime."
From Middle English decreasen, from Old French decreistre, from Latin decrescere ('to diminish'), from de- ('down, away') + crescere ('to grow').
The word "decrease" has been used since the 14th century and evolved from its Latin roots to describe the process of diminishing in size or amount.
Memory tip
Imagine a graph line going downwards. That's decreasing!