reduce
English meaning: Reduce
Definition
To make something smaller or less in size, amount, or degree.
Example
“Switching off lights when you leave a room can reduce your electricity bill.”
Another example: “The new policy aims to reduce traffic in the city centre.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Common in everyday and technical contexts. 'Reduce something by/to' an amount. Often used of prices, risk, speed, and waste. The passive 'be reduced to' can mean to be brought to a humbling state. Opposite of 'increase'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'reducere' (to bring back), from 're-' and 'ducere' (to lead).
Related Words
Common Collocations
- reduce costs
- reduce risk
- reduce waste
- drastically reduce
- reduce speed
- reduce to
Word Forms
reduce (v); reduced; reduces; reducing; reduction (n); reducible (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B