verb
deflate
dee-FLAYT
Deflate (verb) means to let air or gas out of something. Example: “He deflated the mattress before packing it away.”
verb
1
To let air or gas out of something.
"He deflated the mattress before packing it away."
"The tire slowly deflated overnight."
2
To make someone feel suddenly less confident or excited.
"The harsh review deflated her enthusiasm for the project."
3
To reduce the amount of money in circulation, lowering prices.
"The central bank's policy was designed to deflate an overheated economy."
How to use deflate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo let the air out of something — literally, or figuratively out of someone's confidence.
Common pairings
deflate a balloon
deflate morale
deflate the economy
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- deflates
- Past tense
- deflated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ the mattress before packing it away.
Etymology
Coined around 1891 from de- + (in)flate, first used for balloons losing air.
Class of 1891
deflate joined the language around 1891.
See the full Class of 1891 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for deflate
See all rhymes for deflate →Frequently asked questions
What does “deflate” mean?
The word “deflate” means to let air or gas out of something. In plain terms, to let the air out of something — literally, or figuratively out of someone's confidence.
How do you pronounce “deflate”?
“Deflate” is pronounced dee-FLAYT (/diːˈfleɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “deflate” in a sentence?
Here is “deflate” used in a sentence: “He deflated the mattress before packing it away.”
What is the opposite of “deflate”?
The opposite of “deflate” — its antonyms — is inflate.
What part of speech is “deflate”?
“Deflate” is a verb.
Where does the word “deflate” come from?
The word “deflate” dates back to around 1891. Coined around 1891 from de- + (in)flate, first used for balloons losing air.
How many meanings does “deflate” have?
“Deflate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to let air or gas out of something.
