Diminished: meaning, definitions and examples

🔻
Add to dictionary

diminished

 

[ dɪˈmɪnɪʃt ]

Adjective / Verb
Context #1 | Adjective

music

Made smaller or less in size, amount, or degree. In music, diminished refers to a chord that is made up of a minor third and a diminished fifth.

Synonyms

decreased, lessened, reduced.

Examples of usage

  • The diminished chord created a sense of tension in the music.
  • The composer used diminished scales to add a sense of mystery to the piece.
Context #2 | Verb

general

To make or become less. To diminish something is to reduce its size, amount, or intensity.

Synonyms

decrease, lessen, reduce.

Examples of usage

  • The company's profits diminished after the economic downturn.
  • The noise from the construction site diminished as the workers finished for the day.

Translations

Translations of the word "diminished" in other languages:

🇵🇹 diminuído

🇮🇳 घटित

🇩🇪 verringert

🇮🇩 berkurang

🇺🇦 зменшений

🇵🇱 zmniejszony

🇯🇵 減少した (genshō shita)

🇫🇷 diminué

🇪🇸 disminuido

🇹🇷 azalmış

🇰🇷 줄어든 (jureodeun)

🇸🇦 منخفض

🇨🇿 snížený

🇸🇰 zmenšený

🇨🇳 减少的 (jiǎnshǎo de)

🇸🇮 zmanjšan

🇮🇸 minnkaður

🇰🇿 азайтылған

🇬🇪 შემცირებული (shets'q'irebuli)

🇦🇿 azaldılmış

🇲🇽 disminuido

Etymology

The word 'diminished' comes from the Latin word 'diminuere', which means 'to make smaller'. The term has been used in various contexts, including music and general language, to indicate a decrease in size, amount, or intensity. Over time, 'diminished' has become a common adjective and verb in English, reflecting the concept of reduction or decrease.

See also: diminish, diminishing, diminishment, diminution.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,761, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.