Reduced
/rɪˈdjuːst/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo make something smaller or less.
/rɪˈdjuːst/
To make something smaller or less in size, amount, degree, or price.
The company reduced its workforce by 10% due to economic downturn.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have too many cookies! To 'reduce' means you eat some of them to have fewer cookies left. You're making the number of cookies smaller.
👶 For kids: Making something smaller or less.
More Examples
The chef reduced the sauce on the stove until it thickened.
He reduced the amount of time he spent on social media.
How It's Used
"The company reduced its prices to attract more customers."
"She reduced her sugar intake to improve her health."
To bring to a lower condition, or to overcome.
/rɪˈdjuːst/
To bring someone or something to a lower state or condition; to weaken or subdue.
The siege reduced the city to ruins.
💡 Simply: Imagine a bully picking on someone. If you 'reduce' them, you make them stop their bullying behavior, maybe by talking to them or getting help.
👶 For kids: To make something weaker or make someone stop.
More Examples
The medication helped reduce his symptoms.
The goal was to reduce the enemy's forces.
How It's Used
"The army reduced the fort after a long siege."
"Medication helped to reduce his anxiety."
Made smaller or less.
/rɪˈdjuːst/
Having been lowered in size, amount, degree, or price.
The reduced price made the product more affordable.
💡 Simply: Imagine a sale! The prices of clothes are 'reduced' – they're cheaper than before.
👶 For kids: Smaller or less than before.
More Examples
Reduced levels of sunlight impacted the plant's growth.
The company offered a reduced version of the product.
How It's Used
"The store offered reduced prices on all clearance items."
"The patient's reduced mobility was a concern."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
reduced to tears
Caused to weep or cry.
"The heartbreaking news reduced her to tears."
reduced circumstances
A lower financial or social situation.
"Due to the economic downturn, many families have been forced to live in reduced circumstances."
From Latin *reducere* ('to lead back, bring back'), from *re-* ('back') + *ducere* ('to lead'). It evolved to encompass the meaning of lessening or diminishing.
Historically, 'reduced' has been used since the 16th century to mean lessening or diminishing, but also to bring something into submission or a specific state. Its earliest uses were in the context of military actions, like reducing a fortress.
Memory tip
Think of reducing a sauce - you're making it less in volume.
Word Origin
"to lead back, to bring back"