adjective
Common
reducing
rih-DYOO-sihng
Reducing (adjective) means causing a decrease in size, amount, or intensity. Example: “Planting trees has a noise-reducing effect along busy roads.”
adjective
1
Causing a decrease in size, amount, or intensity.
"Planting trees has a noise-reducing effect along busy roads."
"Doctors prescribed a swelling-reducing cream that eased the pain within a few days."
"A reducing agent removes oxygen or adds hydrogen in a chemical reaction."
How to use reducing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes something that brings a level or amount down.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more reducing
- Superlative
- most reducing
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Planting trees has a noise-_____ effect along busy roads.
Related words
Rhymes for reducing
See all rhymes for reducing →Frequently asked questions
What does “reducing” mean?
The word “reducing” means causing a decrease in size, amount, or intensity. In plain terms, describes something that brings a level or amount down.
How do you pronounce “reducing”?
“Reducing” is pronounced rih-DYOO-sihng (/ɹɪˈd(j)u.sɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “reducing” in a sentence?
Here is “reducing” used in a sentence: “A reducing agent removes oxygen or adds hydrogen in a chemical reaction.”
What part of speech is “reducing”?
“Reducing” is an adjective.
Is “reducing” a common word?
“Reducing” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "reducing" and "reduced"?
"Reducing" is the -ing form describing something in the act of causing a decrease, as in "a reducing balance." "Reduced" is the past participle, describing something that has already been made smaller, as in "a reduced price."
What is the difference between "reducing" and "decreasing"?
The words overlap, but "reducing" often implies an agent deliberately making something smaller, while "decreasing" can simply describe a fall happening on its own. You might reduce costs, whereas temperatures decrease.
Is "reducing" always an adjective?
No. "Reducing" is most often the present participle of the verb "reduce," as in "they are reducing waste," and it can also act as an adjective, as in "a reducing agent." Context shows whether it modifies a noun or forms part of a verb.
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