First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
depreciate
verb de·pre·ci·ate \di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt\
: to cause (something) to have a lower price or value
: to decrease in value
: to describe (something) as having little value
de·pre·ci·at·edde·pre·ci·at·ing
Full Definition of DEPRECIATE
transitive verb
1
: to lower in estimation or esteem
2
a : to lower the price or estimated value of <depreciate property> b : to deduct from taxable income a portion of the original cost of (a business asset) over several years as the value of the asset decreases
intransitive verb
: to fall in value
— de·pre·cia·ble \-shə-bəl\ adjective
— de·pre·ci·at·ing·ly \-shē-ˌā-tiŋ-lē\ adverb
— de·pre·ci·a·tion \-ˌprē-shē-ˈā-shən\ noun
— de·pre·ci·a·tive \-ˈprē-shə-tiv, -shē-ˌā-tiv\ adjective
— de·pre·ci·a·tor \-shē-ˌā-tər\ noun
— de·pre·cia·to·ry \-shə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective
See depreciate defined for English-language learners
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Origin of DEPRECIATE
Middle English, from Late Latin depretiatus, past participle of depretiare, from Latin de- + pretium price — more at price
Related to DEPRECIATE
Synonym Discussion of DEPRECIATE
decry, depreciate, disparage, belittle mean to express a low opinion of. decry implies open condemnation with intent to discredit <decried their defeatist attitude>. depreciate implies a representing as being of less value than commonly believed <critics depreciate his plays for being unabashedly sentimental>. disparage implies depreciation by indirect means such as slighting or invidious comparison <disparaged polo as a game for the rich>. belittle usually suggests a contemptuous or envious attitude <belittled the achievements of others>.
Other Economics Terms
Rhymes with DEPRECIATE
abbreviate, abominate, accelerate, accentuate, accommodate, acculturate, accumulate, adjudicate, adulterate, affiliate, agglomerate, alienate, alleviate, alliterate, amalgamate, ameliorate, amyl nitrate, annihilate, annunciate, anticipate, apostolate, appreciate, appropriate, approximate, arpeggiate, articulate, asphyxiate, assassinate, asseverate, assimilate, associate, at any rate, attenuate, authenticate, barbiturate, bicarbonate, calumniate, capacitate, capitulate, catholicate, certificate, coagulate, coelenterate, collaborate, commemorate, commiserate, communicate, compassionate, concatenate, conciliate, confabulate, confederate, conglomerate, congratulate, consolidate, contaminate, cooperate, coordinate, corroborate, deactivate, debilitate, decapitate, decelerate, decerebrate, deconcentrate, deconsecrate, decorticate, decrepitate, de-escalate, defibrinate, defoliate, degenerate, deliberate, delineate, demodulate, denominate, depopulate, deracinate, deregulate, desegregate, desiderate, detoxicate, devaluate, diaconate, dilapidate, discriminate, disintegrate, disseminate, dissimulate, dissociate, domesticate, effectuate, ejaculate, elaborate, electroplate, eliminate, elucidate, emaciate, emancipate, emasculate, encapsulate, enumerate, enunciate, episcopate, equivocate, eradicate, etiolate, evacuate, evaluate, evaporate, eventuate, eviscerate, exacerbate, exaggerate, exasperate, excited state, excogitate, excoriate, exfoliate, exhilarate, exonerate, expatiate, expatriate, expectorate, expostulate, expropriate, extenuate, exterminate, extrapolate, facilitate, felicitate, fish or cut bait, garrison state, gesticulate, habilitate, habituate, hallucinate, humiliate, hydrogenate, hypothecate, illuminate, impersonate, inactivate, inaugurate, incarcerate, incinerate, incorporate, incriminate, indoctrinate, inebriate, infatuate, infuriate, ingratiate, ingurgitate, initiate, inoculate, inseminate, insinuate, instantiate, intercalate, interpolate, interrelate, interrogate, intimidate, intoxicate, invalidate, investigate, invigorate, irradiate, Italianate, Korea Strait, lanceolate, legitimate, luxuriate, mandarinate, manipulate, matriarchate, matriculate, Merthiolate, necessitate, negotiate, noncandidate, obliterate, officiate, Orange Free State, orientate, originate, oxygenate, participate, particulate, patriarchate, patriciate, perambulate, peregrinate, perpetuate, pontificate, precipitate, predestinate, predominate, prefabricate, premeditate, preponderate, prevaricate, procrastinate, prognosticate, proliferate, propitiate, proportionate, quadruplicate, quintuplicate, reciprocate, recriminate, recuperate, redecorate, reduplicate, reeducate, refrigerate, regenerate, regurgitate, reincarnate, reintegrate, reiterate, rejuvenate, remunerate, repatriate, repudiate, resuscitate, retaliate, reticulate, revaluate, reverberate, scholasticate, second estate, self-flagellate, self-immolate, self-pollinate, seventy-eight, sextuplicate, Singapore Strait, sophisticate, subordinate, substantiate, syllabicate, tergiversate, transliterate, triangulate, vanity plate, variegate, vaticinate, vituperate, vociferate
DEPRECIATE Defined for Kids
depreciate
verb de·pre·ci·ate \di-ˈprē-shē-ˌāt\
de·pre·ci·at·edde·pre·ci·at·ing
Definition of DEPRECIATE for Kids
1
: belittle <He often depreciates his own talent.>
2
: to lower the price or value of
3
: to lose value <New cars depreciate rapidly.>
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