decrease
/dɪˈkris/
Reviewed on
Also a noun
Meaning
To become smaller in size, amount, degree, or intensity.
Traffic on the highway decreases noticeably after seven in the evening.
Has the fever decreased since she took the medication?
To make something smaller in size, amount, degree, or intensity.
The manager decreased our budget by ten percent this quarter.
Can regular exercise decrease the risk of heart disease?
How it's used
When this means “become smaller”
- decrease
“decrease.”
The noise began to decrease as the crowd dispersed.
When this means “make something smaller”
- decrease the amount
“decrease it.”
They decided to decrease the price.
Collocations
- decrease significantly
- decrease sharply
- decrease gradually
- decrease spending
- decrease the risk
Meaning
An amount by which something becomes less, or the process of becoming smaller.
The company reported a sharp decrease in profits this year.
Did you notice any decrease in customer complaints last month?
Collocations
- sharp decrease
- significant decrease
- slight decrease
- steady decrease
- on the decrease