First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1decrease
verb de·crease \di-ˈkrēs, ˈdē-ˌ\
: to become smaller in size, amount, number, etc.
: to make (something) smaller in size, amount, number, etc.
de·creasedde·creas·ing
Full Definition of DECREASE
intransitive verb
: to grow progressively less (as in size, amount, number, or intensity)
transitive verb
: to cause to decrease
— de·creas·ing·ly \di-ˈkrē-siŋ-lē, dē-\ adverb
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Origin of DECREASE
Middle English decreessen, from Anglo-French decrestre, from Latin decrescere, from de- + crescere to grow — more at crescent
Related to DECREASE
Synonym Discussion of DECREASE
decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, abate, dwindle mean to grow or make less. decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity <slowly decreased the amount of pressure>. lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number <has been unable to lessen her debt>. diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total <his visual acuity has diminished>. reduce implies a bringing down or lowering <you must reduce your caloric intake>. abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount <the storm abated>. dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller <their provisions dwindled slowly>.
Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms
2decrease
noun de·crease \ˈdē-ˌkrēs, di-ˈ\
: the act of becoming smaller or of making something smaller in size, amount, number, etc.
: the amount by which something is made smaller
Full Definition of DECREASE
1
: the process of decreasing
2
: an amount of diminution : reduction
See decrease defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DECREASE
14th century
Related to DECREASE
Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms
DECREASE Defined for Kids
1decrease
verb de·crease \di-ˈkrēs\
de·creasedde·creas·ing
Definition of DECREASE for Kids
: to grow less or cause to grow less <The numbers of students decreased.>
Word Root of DECREASE
The Latin word crēscere, meaning “to grow,” gives us the root cresc or cre. Words from the Latin crēscere have something to do with growing. To increase is to grow greater in size or amount. To decrease is to grow smaller in size or amount. A crescendo in music is when the volume slowly grows louder.
2decrease
noun de·crease \ˈdē-ˌkrēs\
Definition of DECREASE for Kids
1
: the process of growing less <a gradual decrease in interest>
2
: the amount by which something grows less <The school saw a five percent decrease in students.>
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