noun / verb

decrease

dih-KREESS/dɪˈkriːs/

A reduction in amount, size, or degree, or to become or make smaller.

The balloon's size decreases as air escapes and its surface shrinks.

A text-free three-stage sequence shows the same inflated balloon releasing air and becoming progressively smaller.

Etymology

With “away from” attached to “grow,” Latin decrescere meant “grow less.” English extended this becoming-smaller sense to making something smaller as well.

In context

Sabrina-Rose Benedict2:57

Now that we have our two loops up, we are now going to close the bobble by pulling up a third loop through both of these loops to decrease them.

How to Finger Knit the Bobble Stitch | Easy Step-by-Step Tutorial | Hand Knit Bobble Stitch

More examples

The report shows a decrease in traffic accidents.
You can decrease the volume with this button.
Demand decreased after the holidays.

Forms

decrease · decreases · decreased · decreasing

Similar words

reduce: Usually emphasizes an action that makes an amount smaller.
diminish: Often describes something gradually becoming less strong or important.
reduction: Names the change; unlike decrease, it is only a noun.