First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
diminish
verb di·min·ish \də-ˈmi-nish\
: to become or to cause (something) to become less in size, importance, etc.
: to lessen the authority or reputation of (someone or something) : to describe (something) as having little value or importance
Full Definition of DIMINISH
transitive verb
1
: to make less or cause to appear less <diminish an army's strength>
2
: to lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of : belittle <diminish a rival's accomplishments>
3
: to cause to taper
intransitive verb
1
: to become gradually less (as in size or importance) : dwindle
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Origin of DIMINISH
Middle English deminishen, alteration of diminuen, from Anglo-French diminuer, from Late Latin diminuere, alteration of Latin deminuere, from de- + minuere to lessen — more at minor
Related to DIMINISH
Synonym Discussion of DIMINISH
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>.
Rhymes with DIMINISH
DIMINISHMENT Defined for Kids
diminish
verb di·min·ish \də-ˈmi-nish\
di·min·isheddi·min·ish·ing
Definition of DIMINISH for Kids
1
: to make less or cause to seem less <… he didn't want to diminish any chance he might have of being found. — Gary Paulsen, Hatchet>
2
: belittle
3
: to become gradually less or smaller <The number of wild birds is diminishing.>
— di·min·ish·ment \-mənt\ noun
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