noun C2 Proficient Uncommon

attrition

uh-TRIHSHN

Attrition (noun) means a gradual wearing down or reduction, especially of staff or resources over time rather than through direct cuts. Example: “The department shrank through attrition rather than layoffs.”

noun

A gradual wearing down or reduction, especially of staff or resources over time rather than through direct cuts.

"The department shrank through attrition rather than layoffs."

"Years of attrition wore the army down before the final battle."

The physical wearing away of a surface by friction or grinding.

"The rock face showed signs of attrition from centuries of wind and sand."

How to Use Attrition

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA slow, steady wearing-down or thinning-out, often used for staff numbers or military losses over time.

Memory tip

Attrition is almost always gradual and passive — people leave or things wear away on their own, nobody actively removes them.

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Common pairings

natural attrition a war of attrition staff attrition rate

Word Forms

attritioned past tense, attritions plural, attritions singular

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The department shrank through _____ rather than layoffs.

Etymology

From Latin attritio, "a rubbing against," from atterere, "to wear down" — built from ad- ("towards") and terere ("to rub").

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for attrition

ion lion Zion Dion Sion union scion Orion Onion action minion bunion

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “attrition” mean?

The word “attrition” means a gradual wearing down or reduction, especially of staff or resources over time rather than through direct cuts. In plain terms, a slow, steady wearing-down or thinning-out, often used for staff numbers or military losses over time.

How do you pronounce “attrition”?

“Attrition” is pronounced uh-TRIHSHN (/əˈtɹɪʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “attrition” in a sentence?

Here is “attrition” used in a sentence: “The department shrank through attrition rather than layoffs.”

What part of speech is “attrition”?

“Attrition” is a noun.

Where does the word “attrition” come from?

The word “attrition” comes from Latin. From Latin attritio, "a rubbing against," from atterere, "to wear down" — built from ad- ("towards") and terere ("to rub").

Is “attrition” a common word?

“Attrition” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.

How many meanings does “attrition” have?

“Attrition” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a gradual wearing down or reduction, especially of staff or resources over time rather than through direct cuts.