Decreasing
/dɪˈkriːsɪŋ/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo become smaller or less in size, amount, intensity, or degree.
/dɪˈkriːs/
Becoming smaller or less
The company's profits are decreasing this quarter.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're counting cookies, and you keep eating them. The amount of cookies is decreasing – it's getting less and less!
👶 For kids: Getting smaller or going down, like when you have fewer toys.
More Examples
As temperatures drop, the amount of sunlight is decreasing.
Efforts to decrease pollution levels are showing positive signs.
How It's Used
"The inflation rate is decreasing."
"The patient's fever is decreasing."
Becoming smaller or less; in a state of reduction or decline.
/dɪˈkriːsɪŋ/
Becoming smaller or less
The decreasing number of job applications indicated a downturn in the economy.
💡 Simply: If something is decreasing, it's like when the ice cream cone gets smaller and smaller as you eat it.
👶 For kids: Something that's getting less or smaller.
More Examples
There's a decreasing need for physical labor in the industry due to automation.
The decreasing cost of solar panels has made them more accessible.
How It's Used
"The decreasing population has become a pressing issue."
"The decreasing pressure indicates a leak in the system."
From Middle English decreesen, from Old French decreistre, from Latin decrescere ('to decrease'), from de- ('down, away') + crescere ('to grow').
The word 'decrease' has been used since the 14th century.
Memory tip
Think of a 'de-' (down) and 'crease' (to grow), hence going down from a peak.
Word Origin
"to grow down"