Words / B2

di-KREES/dɪˈkriːs/

To decrease is to become smaller or fewer: decrease by 10%; decrease in demand. Decrease is also a noun (a decrease in). Increase is the opposite. Decline is already in the dictionary and often sounds more formal or negative. Reduce is usually a transitive verb (reduce something). Do not write “decrease down”.

Meaning

To become smaller or fewer, or to make something smaller.

Examples

• “Hospital waiting times decreased after the extra clinics opened.”
• “Waiting times decreased after the Saturday clinics opened.”
• “There was a decrease in applications, which is the noun.”

Good to know

decrease by / to; a decrease in. Opposite: increase. Transitive twin: reduce. Formal cousin: decline. Not “decrease down”.

Near in meaning

reduce

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