reduced

The word “reduced” means made smaller or less than before. In plain terms, made smaller, cheaper, or (for sauces) thicker through cooking.

“Reduced” is pronounced rih-DYOOST (/ɹɪˈdust/ in IPA).

Here is “reduced” used in a sentence: “The store offered reduced prices during the sale.”

“Reduced” is an adjective.

“Reduced” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Reduced” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: made smaller or less than before.

Reduced simply means made smaller or lower than before, and can apply to almost anything — staff, speed, fat content or price. Discounted refers specifically to a price that has been cut, usually as a deliberate offer. A reduced price and a discounted price often mean the same thing, but reduced has far wider everyday use.

The opposite of reduced is increased, raised, or enlarged, depending on context. A reduced price becomes an increased one; a reduced workforce becomes an expanded or enlarged one. Where reduced means cut back, words like boosted, grown or heightened work as natural antonyms. The right opposite always depends on what is being made larger.

You might see it on a supermarket sticker reading 'reduced to clear', or in a report noting 'reduced emissions this year'. Other everyday examples include reduced-fat milk, a reduced train service, or working reduced hours. In each case, reduced signals that something is smaller, lower or less than it previously was.