adjective
Uncommon
diminished
dih-MIH-nihsht
Diminished (adjective) means Made smaller, weaker, or less important than before. Example: “He returned from the injury with a noticeably diminished ability to sprint.”
adjective
1
Made smaller, weaker, or less important than before.
"He returned from the injury with a noticeably diminished ability to sprint."
"Her role at the company felt diminished after the merger."
"After years of neglect, the village's once busy harbour was a diminished place."
2
In music, describing an interval or chord lowered by a semitone from its normal size.
"The song's tension comes from that eerie diminished chord in the chorus."
"The pianist played a diminished seventh chord to create a sense of unease."
"Jazz players often use a diminished scale when they improvise over tense chords."
How to use diminished
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishReduced in size, strength, or importance — or, in music, a chord/interval shrunk by a half-step.
Common pairings
diminished capacity
diminished responsibility
diminished chord
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more diminished
- Superlative
- most diminished
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He returned from the injury with a noticeably _____ ability to sprint.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
antonym(s) of
augmented
Related words
Rhymes for diminished
fished
famished
vanished
polished
punished
finished
banished
cherished
furnished
published
nourished
anguished
See all rhymes for diminished →
Frequently asked questions
What does “diminished” mean?
The word “diminished” means made smaller, weaker, or less important than before. In plain terms, reduced in size, strength, or importance — or, in music, a chord/interval shrunk by a half-step.
How do you pronounce “diminished”?
“Diminished” is pronounced dih-MIH-nihsht (/dɪˈmɪnɪʃt/ in IPA).
How do you use “diminished” in a sentence?
Here is “diminished” used in a sentence: “He returned from the injury with a noticeably diminished ability to sprint.”
What is another word for “diminished”?
Words with a similar meaning to “diminished” include lessened and reduced.
What is the opposite of “diminished”?
The opposite of “diminished” — its antonyms — are antonym(s) of and augmented.
What part of speech is “diminished”?
“Diminished” is an adjective.
Is “diminished” a common word?
“Diminished” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “diminished” have?
“Diminished” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: made smaller, weaker, or less important than before.
What is the difference between "diminished" and "decreased"?
"Diminished" and "decreased" both describe something made smaller or weaker, but "diminished" often carries a connotation of loss in importance, status, or quality, such as "diminished authority." "Decreased" is more neutral and commonly used for measurable quantities, such as decreased sales figures.
What does "diminished" mean in music?
In music, "diminished" describes an interval or chord lowered by a semitone from its normal size, such as a diminished fifth or diminished seventh chord. This technical use is distinct from the general sense of something being made smaller or weaker.
Is "diminished responsibility" a legal term?
Yes, "diminished responsibility" is a recognized legal concept in some jurisdictions referring to a partial defense in which a defendant's mental state is considered to have reduced their culpability for an offense. This specialized legal use draws on the general meaning of "diminished" as made weaker or less than before.
