decrease
dih-KREES
Decrease (verb) means to become smaller in amount, size, or degree; or to cause something to become smaller. Example: “The temperature will decrease steadily as the evening goes on.”
verb
1
To become smaller in amount, size, or degree; or to cause something to become smaller.
"The temperature will decrease steadily as the evening goes on."
"Crime rates decreased significantly after the new policy was introduced."
"The doctor decreased her dosage after the side effects appeared."
noun
1
A reduction in the size or amount of something.
"There has been a small decrease in the number of visitors this week."
"A decrease in temperature overnight left frost on the car windows."
"The company reported a sharp decrease in quarterly profits."
How to use decrease
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo get smaller, or a drop in amount — the opposite of increase.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
decrease in price
sharp decrease
gradually decrease
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like decrease.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- decreases
- Third person singular
- decreases
- Past tense
- decreased
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The temperature will _____ steadily as the evening goes on.
Etymology
From Middle English decresen, via Old French descreistre, ultimately from Latin decrescere.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for decrease
See all rhymes for decrease →Frequently asked questions
What does “decrease” mean?
The word “decrease” means to become smaller in amount, size, or degree; or to cause something to become smaller. In plain terms, to get smaller, or a drop in amount — the opposite of increase.
How do you pronounce “decrease”?
“Decrease” is pronounced dih-KREES (/dɪˈkɹiːs/ in IPA).
How do you use “decrease” in a sentence?
Here is “decrease” used in a sentence: “Crime rates decreased significantly after the new policy was introduced.”
What is another word for “decrease”?
Words with a similar meaning to “decrease” include fall, go down, plummet, plunge, reduce and shrink.
What is the opposite of “decrease”?
The opposite of “decrease” — its antonyms — are go up, grow, increase, rise and soar.
What part of speech is “decrease”?
Depending on how it is used, “decrease” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “decrease” come from?
The word “decrease” comes from Latin. From Middle English decresen, via Old French descreistre, ultimately from Latin decrescere.
Is “decrease” a common word?
“Decrease” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'decrease' and 'reduce'?
'Decrease' can be intransitive, meaning something becomes smaller on its own ('sales decreased'), or transitive. 'Reduce' is normally transitive and needs an object ('reduce prices'), emphasizing that someone or something causes the drop. Both describe things getting smaller, but 'reduce' more strongly implies a deliberate cause.
What is the difference between 'decrease' and 'decline'?
Both mean to go down in amount or level. 'Decrease' is a neutral, measurable drop in size, amount or degree. 'Decline' often suggests a gradual, sometimes worsening downward trend and can carry a sense of deterioration, as in a decline in health or standards.
Do you say 'decrease in' or 'decrease of'?
As a noun, 'decrease' is usually followed by 'in' to name what is falling ('a decrease in sales') and by 'of' to give the amount ('a decrease of 10 percent'). You can combine them: 'a decrease of 10 percent in sales'.
What is the difference between 'decrease' and 'increase'?
They are opposites. To decrease is to become or make something smaller in amount, size or degree, while to increase is to become or make it larger. A decrease is a reduction; an increase is a rise.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include decrease:
