Diminish
/dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/
Definitions
To make or become smaller or less in size, importance, or degree.
/dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/
To make or become less; to decrease.
The amount of sunlight diminishes as the days get shorter in the fall.
💡 Simply: Imagine your favorite cake. If someone eats a slice, the cake *diminishes*! It gets smaller and there's less of it.
👶 For kids: To get smaller or to make something get smaller.
More Examples
His influence began to diminish after he lost the election.
The doctor said the pain should diminish over time.
Regular exercise can diminish the risk of heart disease.
How It's Used
"The rain diminished as the storm moved away."
"Profits diminished due to increased competition."
"Her sorrow gradually diminished as time passed."
Idioms & expressions
diminish returns
A point where the profit or benefit gained is less than the amount of effort or money invested.
"As we invested more and more in marketing, we reached the point of diminishing returns."
diminish one's role
To reduce the importance or significance of a person's position or responsibilities.
"The new management structure diminished his role in the company."
From Old French *demenuser* or *diminuer* (to lessen), from Latin *dīminuere* (to break into small pieces, lessen), from *dis-* (apart) + *minuere* (to lessen).
Historically used in legal and religious texts to signify a reduction or lessening of something.
Memory tip
Imagine a tiny 'mini' version getting smaller – that's diminish!
Word Origin
"to break into small pieces, lessen"