Reduce: meaning, definitions and examples

When you aim to make something smaller in size, amount, or degree. Common in general contexts like expenses, waste, or quantities.

• We need to reduce our spending to save money
• The company is trying to reduce waste

Used for showing a drop in numbers or levels. Frequently seen in statistics, measurements, and comparisons.

• The number of students in the class has decreased this year
• There has been a decrease in temperature over the past week

Implies making something less important, smaller, or weaker. Often has a slight negative connotation, suggesting a reduction in value or quality.

• His popularity has diminished over time
• The new policy will diminish our profits

When you want to make something less in terms of intensity or severity. Commonly used with feelings, pain, risks, or effects.

• She took an aspirin to lessen her headache
• The new law aims to lessen the risk of accidents

Often used to emphasize reducing something to the smallest possible amount or degree. It can also imply making something seem less important or severe, sometimes to downplay negative aspects.

• We need to minimize costs to stay competitive
• He tried to minimize his mistake during the meeting

Use when talking about making something smaller in size, amount, or degree. Commonly used in general contexts like weight, costs, or risks.

• They are trying to reduce their expenses to save money.
• She reduced the sauce to enhance its flavor.

Used when describing the process of making a liquid more dense or less runny, often used in cooking or describing physical substances.

• You can thicken the soup by adding some flour.
• The crowd began to thicken as the event drew near.

Best used when referring to making something more compact or dense by removing parts, often used in scientific, literary, or cooking contexts.

• The author decided to condense the novel to fit the magazine's format.
• When steam condenses, it turns into water.

Used when you need to talk about making a substance or mixture more potent or focused. Typically used in contexts like focusing one's attention or making a solution stronger.

• It is hard to concentrate on work with so much noise.
• They sell orange juice concentrate in the store.

Use this word when talking about generally lowering something, not just prices. It can refer to quantities, levels, amounts, etc.

• We need to reduce the amount of paper we use in the office.
• The company plans to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% over the next five years.

This term is mostly used in retail or sales contexts where a price is lowered for promotion or a special offer.

• The store is offering a 20% discount on all electronics this weekend.
• I got a discount on my car insurance for being a safe driver.

This is generally used when discussing a straightforward reduction in the price of a product or service. Often used in business or consumer contexts.

• The company announced a price cut on their latest smartphone model.
• Shoppers were excited about the price cut on their favorite brand of jeans.

Used primarily in retail to indicate a specific reduction in the price of goods, often due to clearance or overstock.

• There's a big markdown on all summer clothing now that the season is over.
• The store had to markdown the prices on unsold inventory.