# decrease

/ˈdiˌkɹis/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/decrease
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to become smaller

verb · CEFR B1

to become less in number, amount, or size.

For teachers: to diminish in size, amount, or degree. Intransitive use.

- The number of people smoking has decreased significantly over the last ten years.
- The population of the rural village decreased steadily as younger generations migrated toward urban centres in search of employment.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'in', as in 'decrease in value'.

### 2. to make something smaller

verb · CEFR B1

to make something smaller or less.

For teachers: to cause something to become smaller in size, amount, or intensity. Transitive use.

- The company decided to decrease the price of their old phones to sell them faster.
- The government implemented new policies designed to decrease the national deficit by the end of the fiscal year.

Usage: Takes a direct object.

### 3. a reduction

noun · CEFR B1

the process of becoming smaller, or the amount by which something gets smaller.

For teachers: the process of becoming smaller or the specific amount of such a reduction.

- There has been a sharp decrease in the price of petrol this month.
- Economists noted a significant decrease in consumer spending during the first quarter, suggesting a cooling of the national economy.

Usage: Commonly followed by 'in' plus a noun phrase.

### 4. knitting

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a way to make a piece of knitting narrower by joining stitches together.

For teachers: a reduction in the number of stitches, typically achieved by knitting two stitches together.

- The pattern says to work a decrease at each end of the next row.
- To shape the sleeve correctly, the knitter must execute a double decrease every four rows until the desired width is achieved.

Usage: Used as a countable noun in patterns.

Teaching tip: This is a highly specialised term used by hobbyists; most learners will only need the general senses.

## Examples

- There has been a steady decrease in gas prices this month.
- The company reported a significant decrease in profits due to rising manufacturing costs and lower consumer demand.
- A sharp decrease in the local bee population could have devastating effects on the surrounding ecosystem and the productivity of nearby farms.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.